Part 3/5:
- The Compulsive Cutter: This individual is notably comparable to the modern-day “double dipper.” In the context of the Ottoman dining customs, food was largely consumed with hands, where pieces of bread and meat would be torn off and dipped into sauces. However, returning to dip after taking a bite—much like the double dipper—was considered highly inappropriate, similar to putting one’s mouth directly into a communal dip.
Timelessness of Dining Etiquette
The parallels drawn between the Ottoman practices and modern dining situations highlight the timeless nature of certain social norms. Just as Ottoman diners were expected to adhere to specific etiquette rules, so too are modern diners required to navigate the unspoken codes of conduct surrounding shared meals.