CaN't I eAt iN pEaCe

Fine dining.... not for me...

To tell the truth, I can't figure out till this day what are the exact spoons to use for the different courses and where to place my utensils after use. I am a hands and fingers person when it comes to shelling prawns and other shelled creatures so to put on an act and shell a prawn with my fork and all at a luxury restaurant is really not my cup of (earl grey?!)tea.

So many etiquette to follow, just gives me a real big headache and loss of appetite. Speak in low tones, watch the napkin and every slight sauce spilling out from your lips, put your glasses/cups down on the table/saucer lightly coz a little 'ting!' will cause coffered heads to turn, eat with your fork and spoon and never with your hands, look glamourous even when i'm tucking into a tough plate of sirloin steak. I surrender *waves white flag*

Take me (or you'll see me) at any kopitiam anytime instead. I much rather be adorned in my comfy home clothes (t-shirts/tanks/shorts) and tuck into a noisy yet fun steamboat anytime. The coffee-tiam culture of use-your-hands-to-shell-whatever-you-want, talk as loud as you like, let-everything-hang-loose sits down very well with me.

It is very tiring to put on a fake facade while dinning at some high and mighty dinning place. Yes, they cost a bomb (will no doubt cause my wallet to bleed) but I am no eating sour grape though. I may not have the dough to go there every week and splurge but I am well contented with my kopi-tiams and food courts. Heck, good food need not be accompanied by outrageous price tags, rigid body movements and gestures!