It is no surprise that table manners differ between America and Thailand. Here people begin eating as soon as there is food on the table without waiting for others to sit. Typically there were at least three entrees on the table, two of which were mild spice, in deference to me. Thai eat with a table spoon in the right hand and a fork in the left to push food unto the spoon. The meal begins with rice ladled unto a plate and then diners take their spoon and help themselves to food from the bowls on the table. Nothing is passed, diners simply reach across the table and help themselves. When finished eating they just stand up and walk away.
A new culinary delight was Pad Thai Soup. If I go back again I'm going to have a notebook on the table to write down words, phrases and names of Thai dishes. Much of our conversation and subsequent language study was done over meal times. My goal for next year is to learn how to say the Thai word for eight without causing paroxysms of laughter. Hope I wasn't saying something obscene.
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