Texan Table Manners Don’t Set Well In South Africa…

I admit it – I have pretty poor table manners. I don’t do anything horrible (you know, like belch) but I still can’t tell you which side the fork goes on. So I have a hard time in America, much less in a more formal Afrikaans setting when visiting South Africa…

One relative very graciously showed me how to properly fold my serviette (a new word for me!) and place it in the serviette ring. I got pretty good at it-but it was not enough to cover other mistakes.

BG and I had dinner at another relative’s home. Everyone was talking as they passed me a big bowl of chips. I contentedly listened to the conversation and munched away at the chips. Being a Texan I was used to big bowls of chips, and this one was great! - Until everyone glared at me and asked why I had eaten the entire serving from the main table bowl…

Another time I was offered some bread. I said “sure”, took the bread from the serving plate, and began eating it – WRONG! This time everyone at the table gasped-got my attention…Apparently you are supposed to take the bread, put it on your bread plate, butter it (every square centimeter as BG says), and THEN eat it.

I really try not to be the ugly American when I travel but sometimes I come off as a table manner challenged one…

What do you think? Please click on the title above to add your comments (Texan Table Manners Don’t Set Well In South Africa…)

Raymond Pechacek lives in the U.S. and is married to a wonderful South African lady (BG!). He writes about the people, customs, wildlife, and places of South Africa, runs a consulting firm to help companies improve their global trade processes, and imports products into the U.S. - with an emphasis on supporting South Africa!