Etiquette Tuesday: Blow or Not to Go??
Gross, gross, gross and more gross. We are talking about blowing your nose at the dinner table in a restaurant. If you’re at home, different story, go by your own rules. Recently, we went out with a friend and this is when we began questioning the etiquette behind having to blow your nose while dining out. Now it didn’t bother us when our friend blew their nose, not once, but twice, but the people sitting across from us did not hide their displeasure and gave us a snappy side eye. After a moment of the awkward eye contact, we put ourselves in their shoes. Would we want someone to let out a hard, snotty blow as we take that first bite of our lobster bisque?? No. This is how this post came to life.
Now we understand this is flu and cold season and people are going to be sick, but maybe these folks should think about this is as the season to hibernate. Hibernating does not mean you should be confined to the house, but when it’s really a rough, stuffy nose day, you should probably avoid the restaurant scene. It just makes it uncomfortable for you having to constantly blow in between bites and the other patrons are scared your going to blow some unnecessary germs on their lentil soup. Dining out is supposed to be fun not a suffer-fest, which is what it will be for all parties. Let’s leave the box of tissues @ home.
Now we understand this is flu and cold season and people are going to be sick, but maybe these folks should think about this is as the season to hibernate. Hibernating does not mean you should be confined to the house, but when it’s really a rough, stuffy nose day, you should probably avoid the restaurant scene. It just makes it uncomfortable for you having to constantly blow in between bites and the other patrons are scared your going to blow some unnecessary germs on their lentil soup. Dining out is supposed to be fun not a suffer-fest, which is what it will be for all parties. Let’s leave the box of tissues @ home.
Category: Food.Fun.Stuff.
About the Author (Author Profile)
Johnna French is a Harlem NY native with deep roots in Panama, Washington, DC and North Carolina. All four places have heavily influenced her life and the foods she loves today. After graduating Howard University School of Law and beginning her life as a young professional in the city she was led to start Johnna Knows Good Food in November 2007 to keep family, friends and colleagues updated on where to go and what to eat while dining in the nation’s capitol. French, who still practices law, leads a team of three writers to cover the ever expanding Washington, DC food scene. French has been featured in print and television, appearing in Washingtonian Magazine and is a regular contributor to various local TV affiliates including WUSA 9, FOX 5 DC and WJLA (ABC Affiliate) News Channel 8. During the 2016-2017 football season, Johnna aired on Comcast Sports Mid-Atlantic (CSN) show, Redskins Life, as the weekly tailgate host. Johnna is currently a regular contributor to the FOX Baltimore Weekend morning show.Subscribe
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In Japan, blowing your nose in public is as shocking as clipping your toenails at the dinner table. I can't say I disagree. Some things are best left in the bathroom!
Once is okay as you never really know its coming (arguably). Once it becomes a problem (that's +1) you kinda owe it as a good faith effort to those putting up with your drip to go to the restroom. Use it as an opportunity to re-up on your tissue, check your nostrils for any stray lil' hommies or even a chance give one of those old school super blows that you only do when you're by yourself.
On a related note, I was at dinner when a person at an ajacent table for two turned her face to sneeze.. the bad part is I was seated at the table immediately to her right. JUST NASTY!
Thanks for the post, its not just enough to know a restaurant, or to be able to pay, manners (towards everyone)are an oft overlooked part of going out.
Once is okay as you never really know its coming (arguably). Once it becomes a problem (that's +1) you kinda owe it as a good faith effort to those putting up with your drip to go to the restroom. Use it as an opportunity to re-up on your tissue, check your nostrils for any stray lil' hommies or even a chance give one of those old school super blows that you only do when you're by yourself.
On a related note, I was at dinner when a person at an ajacent table for two turned her face to sneeze.. the bad part is I was seated at the table immediately to her right. JUST NASTY!
Thanks for the post, its not just enough to know a restaurant, or to be able to pay, manners (towards everyone)are an oft overlooked part of going out.
Hahaha! Thanks for the comments:-) I was hoping I was on the right track with this one and not just being dramatic…
Hahaha! Thanks for the comments:-) I was hoping I was on the right track with this one and not just being dramatic…
Hahaha! Thanks for the comments:-) I was hoping I was on the right track with this one and not just being dramatic…