Everyone has their own, unique style of savoring food which, goes way beyond the limits of eating etiquettes. My early years of growing up in a joint-family meant meal-times were never a private affair. I was a very picky eater and therefore, my sole interest and entertainment during meal-times were to observe and listen to my extended family members, more than eating. I used to be amused, intrigued, and sometimes perplexed by the uninhabited, eating manners of the people around me, and their mannerisms left a profound imprint in my subconscious mind. I often ended up imitating some of them while eating, much to my parent’s dislike!
I remember an old electrician who, used to do petty electrical repairs at our house and he had the habit of slurping his tea after pouring it out in the saucer. I always thought that the tea tasted far better that way or at least I imagined it to be. I tried to copy it once and was thoroughly admonished by my mom!
Now, now, don’t be judgemental! Just pause for a bit and imagine yourself gobbling paani puris or lapping up a steadily melting ice lolly on a sultry warm day or munching popcorns while watching a suspense thriller or trying your level best, to noisily draw out the last drop of Frappuccino through the straw and you will understand what I am trying to convey. Food must be enjoyed with all five senses.
Recent studies prove that Loud chewing, crunching, slurping or biting foods and drinks, trigger the ASMR (Auto Sensory Meridian Response), which can promote positive sensations and feelings! Certain sounds of cooking, eating, drinking are very satisfying and these audios are methodically used in the advertising world to entice the imagination of potential consumers.
The slurping sound was the most attractive element of a popular instant noodle advertisement. Similarly, a potato wafer brand used the munching sound to emphasize the crispiness of their product. Not to forget the Cola Ads, which made us reach out for the bottle, every time a Bollywood celeb or a cricketer glugged enticingly on the screen.
Table manners are very important. One should learn to enjoy food without being a distraction for others. However, exceptionally tasty food or extremely sour/hot food do have the power to trigger the involuntary responses, which can go a wee bit further than the society – approved “Yuck” and “Yum”!
We are bound by several social etiquettes which extend to our eating-manners too but once in a while when no one’s judging it is such a bliss to let go and enjoy that favorite dish with all the slopping, champing and slurping, completely stress-free!
