Pet Peeves - Cheese Eating Etc.

I have some rules about eating cheese. I try to share them with others, but I come across as being either "a ball buster", a "pain in the ass", or just a trouble maker. Hey, don't cut the nose off of cheese wedges! Is that asking so much? Cut it at and angle, the cheese is more attractive, it is easier to take a small slice, and it doesn't bother me.

Here are some tips I found online:

As a guest, keep these tips in mind when sharing a cheese platter:

• Always use a separate knife for each cheese (if they have been supplied) to avoid mixing flavours.
• When cutting a cheese wedge, try to cut a slice along the length of the cheese, from the centre to the rind.
• Try not to cut the point or the ‘nose’ off the cheese, which is often the ripest bit and worth sharing around! Also, take care not to ‘mine’ into the centre of the cheese, leaving only the rind for others, particularly with Blue and Soft White cheeses.
• Although you can eat the cheese with your fingers, always use the utensils provided to transfer the piece of cheese to your fingers rather than picking the cheese directly off the plate.
• Remember that, in general, the rind of soft cheeses is edible, but the rind of firm cheeses is usually avoided as it can be quite dry and brittle.

On to wine drinking! Wine glasses have stems for a reason - to hold the glass. Use it. Don't hold the bowl. Keep the bowl clean of fingerprints so you can enjoy looking at the wine. You may say, "I'm drinking it, not looking at it!" But, the joy of wine comes not only from the drinking but the aroma and the appearance of the wine in the glass. Some other time I'll tackle how to open and pour wine.

On to eating! I learned years ago of the importance of table manners. They go beyond keeping elbows or arms off of tables. Know how to properly use a knife, fork, spoon, and napkin. Know where the utensils go when you are not using them and when you are done. Table manners matter. Pass good manners onto your children so they will know how to behave at a table when they are adult. Table manners can make a difference in their lives and careers.