I think you can mostly just vibe it out. With some folk and in some settings, being overly formal can make people uncomfortable.
Also, there are similar rules in lower class eating settings that have had time to build a culture as well, just kind of the other way around and less spoken about.
Which is a shame, in my opinion, since I find a lot of them more interesting than the Upper French/English style rules.
E.g. in some places, and for some specific beers, you're a pig if you drink it straight from the can, while for others you're a snob if you pour it in a glass.
I think you can mostly just vibe it out. With some folk and in some settings, being overly formal can make people uncomfortable.
Also, there are similar rules in lower class eating settings that have had time to build a culture as well, just kind of the other way around and less spoken about.
Which is a shame, in my opinion, since I find a lot of them more interesting than the Upper French/English style rules.
E.g. in some places, and for some specific beers, you're a pig if you drink it straight from the can, while for others you're a snob if you pour it in a glass.
agreed, signaling goes both ways - being too prim and proper functions as an out-group signal if you're dining with people who are more casual!
How wonderfully informative and thoroughly readable! Loved it!