I got kicked out of a restaurant because I ate the spaghetti with my fingers. Was this right or wrong?

Question

I've always ate spaghetti with my fingers. I like to do it if the spaghetti has extra tomato sauce too. I was in a restaurant yesterday and I was eating some spaghetti with cheese and tomato sauce with my fingers, like I always do. I guess some people complained and the waiter asked me to use a fork. I refused to and they refused service to me.

Was this rude? People don't have to look if I was eating spaghetti with my fingers.

I did have a lot of tomato sauce on my fingers and face, but I would've cleaned them with a napkin if I was asked to.

Joy -- I have ALWAYS eaten spaghetti with my fingers. I love the feel of having tomato sauce all over my face. Why should I have to change that just to please a few other people?

Lee K - It was a very expensive and fancy restaurant.

Actually, it wasn't very expensive or fancy, but it was not cheap fast food.

Answer 1

I don't argue with your right to eat spaghetti with your fingers. No problem. It wouldn't bother me, personally.
But to put it another way, as my father always said, "Your right to punch me in the nose stops where my nose starts!"

Your right to eat spaghetti in this admittedly messy, unsightly way stops when the others have to watch it happen. It is a commercial enterprise and if they want to sell more spaghetti than just your plateful, it does not surprise me that they asked you to cease and desist.
Sorry my friend, but I have to side with the restaurant here, even though I don't personally find it a big deal...knock yourself out!!

Answer 2

While I hate to use the word 'normal' I am compelled to use it as well as reasonable person. Whether you have done something all your life or not, unless the restaurant was filled with your relatives and lifelong friends your behavior was offensive. Irrespective of what you've done ALL your life those that were dining around you DO NOT have to endure your spaghetti fetish. I am not trying to be rude; however this appears to be a very personal thing and should not be in the public eye. I hope that before you were escorted out that you paid & tipped your waiter. What would give you the impression that you had the right to disturb the dinner of everyone else? Yes, the people did not have to look, yet in that same argument you DID not have to call so much attention to yourself. I have no problem with people doing whatever they want, YET I do not feel that I have to witness the quirks of others. Do you normally eat with utensils?

I wish you well; however in certain areas, you could have been cited for disturbing the peace and/or public nuisance.

I wish you well.

Thanks.

Answer 3

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I wish I was there to see this happen! I would've loved it. East Indian people eat with their fingers always and even though I'm East Indian I dont eat with my fingers because I hate feeling the food on my hands like you like it! If I ever did start eating with my fingers and if I were kicked out I'd look at how I can give the restaurant a BAD review. Just because you are different or because I'm being cultural doesnt mean I dont have etiquette. In India eating with your fingers is just about enough etiquette you need anything more than that (fork or spoon) makes you an upper class citizen!!!

Answer 4

Well, you've already "fudged" on the truth about it being a "fine" restaurant, so that strains your credulity.

Rude, yes... you were the rude one, however. There are certain "conventions" by which society runs, and CORRECT eating habits is one of them. What you do in the privacy of your home is your business, but in someone else's establishment OR home, you abide by the rules of etiquette. Just because you wish to eat like an uncivilized animal doesn't mean that others have to be forced to view your slovenly habits. Do you also scratch your crotch in public, like Roseanne?

Answer 5

It is considered poor etiquette as well as messy to eat spaghetti with your fingers. However, it's also poor etiquette to watch someone else eat, like the people who must have complained.

If there were no rules posted that you have to eat using utensils, then you shouldn't have been refused service. (They could post that rule after serving you ;))

Answer 6

It is a little rude to eat with your fingers, especially something messy like spaghetti.
If several other customers complained about you,
the manager had a choice;
Let this guy eat like a pig, and disgust my other customers probably causing them never to come back.
OR
let this guy do what he wants, keep his business, but lose all his other customers.
I'd probably kick you out too, sorry.
Maybe learn to eat properly.

Answer 7

I wouldn't have wanted to see you eating period. I can't watch anyone eating... So I guess whatever you were doing is fine.... I once was at a restaurant and this guy took his fork and picked at his belly button with it then took his spoon ate his soup and then took the same spoon and stirred his tea with it without wiping it off.. I just let him be...=)

Answer 8

LOL man I wish I was there to see that. What a mess you must make eating spaghetti with you fingers. I wouldn't have found it to be rude , just really funny

Answer 9

In Italy you eat your spaghetti WRAPPING it around the fork
with your SPOON but NEVER with your fingers

Answer 10

If you wish to eat with your hands at home that is fine. However, while in public it is necessary that you use utensils. No one wants to go to a restaurant and pay for their meal and have to see you eating like a pig. Save it for home.