Dear Annie 12/12
Dear Annie: I used to date a lady from Australia who was taught to hold her fork in the European/continental style. When she came to visit me in Milwaukee, she noticed my American style. She seemed put-off but didn’t say anything. We had a pending dinner date with mutual friends, and she thought I would be set straight by seeing how other people hold their forks.
When we gathered together, she was surprised that, “You all eat that way!” We both learned about differences from that point on.
She also was intrigued by my frequent use of wiping my mouth with a napkin. “Australians use it once, at the end of eating.” I always saw it as a personal preference. After a while, she confided that she liked my way better. Seems Aussies she knew wiped with sleeves throughout their meals.
Customs and habits can be born by tradition or by physical necessity. There really is no right way or wrong way. Different cultures can have diametrically opposed standards or mores, habits and customs. It’s all in perspective. – I Learned From an Aussie
Dear Learned: I love your open-minded perspective on traditions and culture. Learning about others makes life so much richer and deeper. A large percentage of people in the world don’t use knives and forks at all. Some use chopsticks while others eat with their hands.
Dear Annie: Your readers have great ideas, so I am writing to ask if any of them can help me solve a dilemma.
What can one give someone who needs nothing? I want to remember my friends at Christmas, but they don’t need yet another item. I want something a bit more thoughtful than just a Christmas card.
What do you suggest, and what do your readers suggest? – Gifts for Those Who Have Everything
Dear Gifts: One of the best gifts you can give to the person who has everything is to give to a charity that they are passionate about. That way, you are giving to those in need while showing your friend that you care about them for the holidays. But I like your idea of asking our readers how they deal with this issue.
Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.