Getting food stuck in your teeth in the middle of fine dining is one of the most awkward situations to find yourself in. But an etiquette expert shows how to handle it without getting embarrassed.
Table manners are tricky because people from different cultures have unique ways of enjoying their meals. For instance, Europeans think the way Americans handle cutlery is ‘ridiculous’. But an unfortunate event such as having leafy green from your favorite salad stuck in your teeth is a universal plight of human beings.
Etiquette expert demonstrates how to remove food stuck in your teeth
In one of his TikTok videos, etiquette expert Dr. Clinton Lee, shows how to get rid of an annoying piece of food stuck in your teeth without embarrassing yourself.
He shows two ways to do it, depending on your setting – informal or formal. You can do it instantly in an informal setting as long as you have access to a toothpick.
However, sticking the toothpick in your teeth before others may not seem too civil, so he suggests using one of your hands to cover the toothpick while using the other to remove the food.
Say you’re in a more formal setting, excuse yourself, and go to the restroom, says Dr. Clinton. You can take all the time you need to remove the food tuck in your teeth in peace and return to the table with a bright smile.
You would perhaps want to carry your own toothpick or floss should you find yourself in an awkward situation.
Other important table manners worth noting
Engaging in conversation at the dining table is a common and acceptable practice in most parts of the world. But none wants to see what’s in your mouth or worse, watch the food spill out, would they?
In another video, Dr. Clinton shows how to speak while you have food in your mouth – it needs patience.
If you’re required to talk with food in your mouth, use one of your hands to cover your mouth and use the other to indicate that you need time to finish eating.
The said gesture implies you’re politely asking them to wait while you would like to finish your bite before hopping into the conversation.
Dr. Clinton Lee is a wine critic and etiquette expert, currently serving as the Executive Director at Asia Pacific Wine and Spirit Institute. He holds an FMA (Financial Management Advisor) from the Canadian Securities Institute and boasts over 500,000 followers across social media.
