No, Really... Servers make sure to time it just perfectly...
Dear Miss Manners,
What is the proper way to respond when waiters come breezing past my table asking, "And how is everything?" while I have a mouth full of food? I'm sure it is not to open my mouth and garble out, "Okay". I could just nod my head, but the problem is that sometimes, I really do want something like a refill or condiment, which requires a more lengthy response than a nod. Sometimes I try to hurriedly swallow the food while motioning for them to wait and there is this awkward silence while I chew and swallow.
I say "sometimes" because this has become an increasing problem as of late. It is as if some waiters have figured out that the easiest way to do their job is to make sure to stop by when someone has a mouthful, because then they don't really have to stop.
After I have swallowed, I would like to give them a mouthful of a different nature, but I know this is unacceptable behavior for a lady. Therefore, your advice on the most graceful handling of the situation would be much appreciated.
Gentle Reader,
You are being a bit harsh on the waiters, in Miss Manners' opinion. They work in restaurants. All their customers are likely to have mouths full of food. That is why people go to restaurants.
This does not mean that your choice, when you want to say something, is to choke or be gross. Etiquette has a routine for just such occasions when people are addressed but cannot reply. It is possible to smile with the mouth full and closed, and if this is accompanied by a regretful look and the forefinger in the just-a-moment position it, no waiter should resent a brief wait.
What is the proper way to respond when waiters come breezing past my table asking, "And how is everything?" while I have a mouth full of food? I'm sure it is not to open my mouth and garble out, "Okay". I could just nod my head, but the problem is that sometimes, I really do want something like a refill or condiment, which requires a more lengthy response than a nod. Sometimes I try to hurriedly swallow the food while motioning for them to wait and there is this awkward silence while I chew and swallow.
I say "sometimes" because this has become an increasing problem as of late. It is as if some waiters have figured out that the easiest way to do their job is to make sure to stop by when someone has a mouthful, because then they don't really have to stop.
After I have swallowed, I would like to give them a mouthful of a different nature, but I know this is unacceptable behavior for a lady. Therefore, your advice on the most graceful handling of the situation would be much appreciated.
Gentle Reader,
You are being a bit harsh on the waiters, in Miss Manners' opinion. They work in restaurants. All their customers are likely to have mouths full of food. That is why people go to restaurants.
This does not mean that your choice, when you want to say something, is to choke or be gross. Etiquette has a routine for just such occasions when people are addressed but cannot reply. It is possible to smile with the mouth full and closed, and if this is accompanied by a regretful look and the forefinger in the just-a-moment position it, no waiter should resent a brief wait.