In the USA it's considered rude to use a toothpick at the table. I was recently at a restaurant in France and at the end of the meal our French host summoned the waitress and asked her for a toothpick, she brought it and he began to use it in front of the 3 of us. In most of Europe using a toothpick in a restaurant at the table is perfectly acceptable. Are there any European countries where using a toothpick at the table is considered rude?

Please continue to follow this thread in the FT Europe Forum
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

At least in England and in Germany I would go to the mens' room and not start to work on my teeth in front of my guests.

I can't think of one European country where using a toothpick at the table is okay. What about flossing at the table? @:-) China is a different story.

In some parts of the US restaurants used to dispense toothpicks at the cashier's counter out of cute little specialty machines and it was considered very suave to leave the restaurant picking away. But the customs appears to have died out. Perhaps increased dental care has something to do with it.

When in doubt, do not pick! @:-)

Just use a little common sense: Don't use a toothpick when you are with others. Never!

BTW, I still have some problems with the behavior of some Americans, like bringing some fast food and this big drinks ("GULP"?) on board of a plane. And I still see people (men & woman) putting her shoes on the table, on another chair.

In a global frame of reference, common sense does not exist.

Just to be clear, are you offended by people bringing any food & drink on a plane? Or only when the food and drink were served quickly?

is that related to the thread topic?

chrissxb
moderator
europe forum

Perhaps not-- apologies for that. Would it have been more appropriate to start a new thread?

Where do you get your info? Do you read books on etiquette? Do you talk to locals? I read in Amy Vanderbilt's book of Etiquette that in Europe it was fine to use a toothpick at the table if done so discreetly.

yes but not in the Europe forum

lets get back to toothpicks

No problems in Spain, I've seen plenty of people pick out bits of chorizo or jamon serrano in front of me. Never gave it a moments thought before.

Amy Vanderbilt died in 1974 more then 30 years ago and was considered to be a US authority on etiquette...

Given that, I only can recommend that you US guys do refrain from having your regular excessive faith in US authorities only. Under the circumstances given I would put my faith in local FTer's authority and not in a lady publishing a book in 1954 and committing suicide by jumping out ot a window of her New York townhouse after she became aware that she published nonsense on the use of toothpicks in Europe for about 20 years.

It certainly depends on the country you are in an I have a certain educated feeling that it is more commen in the south of Europe as in the north. In the countries I am living in it would be nothing but very bad behaviour.

If so, why do you ask ...Are there any European countries where using a toothpick at the table is considered rude?...
OK, go to Europe armed with Amy Vanderbilt's book .... Bonne Appetite and Good Luck!

But pleeeeaaase: Refrain from working on your teeth at least in the places I visit. And better keep away from the windows - you might be infected by the Amy Vanderbilt virus.