I was out to lunch, and I asked if my friend would like to try some of my salad. Before the question was finished, his fork slid across the table and speared a healthy pile of field greens.
There was bacon involved, so his enthusiasm was understandable. Still, I was a bit skeeved out by his fork entering my plate's airspace. So can we set some ground rules for sharing meals?
Whether for reasons of economy or by choice, the staging is bare,Let's just assume that you're always wiling to give someone else a bite of your dish or a few of your fries. To those who refuse to share, restaurants will seat you at a table for one or gladly split a dish before it arrives at the table. For the rest of us, I think we can use the flatware we're given as guides for a code of sharing conduct.
Give Me Your Bread Plate
This is the tier reserved for business acquaintances and new friends. If you've never shared a meal with somebody, the bread plate is your best friend. You both load up your bread plates with equal amounts and then make the exchange on the count of three. Don't let go of your bread plate until you have the other one in hand.
Handing Over Your Plate
Family, close friends and ex-girlfriends or ex-boyfriends should have direct access to your plate. But nobody should reach across the table. Plates should be traded like baseball cards. The only exception is dessert. A dessert is passed around regardless of the diners' familiarity with one another. It's the bargain you make when you give in to temptation and order the chocolate cake.
Handing Over Your Fork
This is the level achieved only by romantic partners (or romantic aspirants). Giving someone a spoonful of soup or a fork loaded up with chocolate cake is like a food kiss. As such, you have to be comfortable with your dining partner's cooties on your utensil.
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