Eating, Hand To Mouth

Most of you reading this have been taught at a young age not to touch your food with your hands, a practice that is constantly reinforced by social norms. We've probably even tried to detach a pizza slice using a napkin, or pour peanuts from bowl to hand, to avoid touching other people's food. Perhaps we fear the disapproval of our germ-conscious peers, or maybe we seek to set an example in hopes of reducing our own microbe intake. After all, touching food is unsanitary, barbaric, and impolite... right?

But in countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia, eating with your hands is not uncommon; in India and Nepal it is the norm. A few simple practices ensures hygiene, such as visiting the nearby sink or water bucket before and after your meal, and always using your right hand to eat instead of your dirty-job left hand.

My first hand-eating experience was a banana leaf thali - several indian curries spooned onto a banana leaf, served with rice. Using your hand, you mix the curries and the rice, working it into a good consistency to scoop with your fingers and pop into your mouth with your thumb. It felt incredibly awkward, messy, and kind of gross. My fingers were uncoordinated, and I ended up with food all over my palm and chin.

A few weeks later, I found myself sharing food with a friendly couple from Malaysia, who clearly found great pleasure in eating. I noticed their utensils went untouched, as they happily hand-scooped the food into their mouths. They explained how they loved eating with their hands, because you could really "feel" the food through the sense of touch.

This simple explanation gave me the permission I was looking for to start enjoying the feel of my own food, and slowly the guilt and embarrassment from years of utensil-culture shrank away. I discovered the joy of tearing into a fresh, warm chapatti (flat bread), the smooshy feeling of rice and curry between the fingers, and the softness and weight of paneer (cheese) or spiced potato in your hand. Eating with your hands is not only convenient and immediate, but also satisfying and gratifying on an unfamiliar level. Give it a few tries yourself... you might find you like it.