The whole art
of eating with one’s hands is often criticized by the western world, that tends
to look down on it as another primitive custom followed by the Asians. Many
memes and jokes have been made to criticize this concept of eating with one’s
hands.They regard this aspect of eating with hands with a sense of embarrassment. Albeit interesting, one may argue that it seems prima facie evident, that
eating with one’s hand would invite more microbial contact and hence is also
termed to be”relatively” unhygienic. But really then, is it so? Because somehow using a fork is unthinkable in traditional Indian eating. It is almost like a weapon.
Gave it a
fair thought and seemed to come up with interesting conclusions. The
conclusions are all in my head but then I call it my “perspective”. Mastication in
the verbal form is defined by the British Oxford English dictionary as the “process
of chewing”. In essence, it would
be the precursor to the whole digestion process. Though one often tends to
forget there is another precursor to mastication in itself. That would be the
morsel of food. Now this morsel is fed to the mouth either directly using hands
or using cutlery like the western world does. I always wondered how the great
Vedas didn’t really substitute something to eat with like an ancient fork and
spoon of sorts, while they seemingly excelled in making life more convenient using their great ancient knowledge. Perhaps they had a reason? Perhaps…
Eating with cutlery undoubtedly seems good vs eating with one's hands directly. However, try eating with a fork dipped into super-heated sauce or curry. Chances are depending on whether one uses their tongue, lips, teeth or all of the three next, that it will result into instant scalding of these organs. I had a nasty experience once where the three pins of the fork left three clear impressions on the lower inner lip. Took a while to heal in itself, but then I divulge…Now imagine if you eat the same with your hands, they would take the sensation of heat in the food first and prevent you from swallowing something really hot or cold. Wouldn't that be better than throwing up needlessly on a dinner table? The secondary danger of super-hot or cold food going down the throat is another thing to consider. Secondly, when one eats with the hands, you invariably and semi—consciously aid the process of mastication by crushing your food into the perfect morsel enough to make it into a right sized ball of food called the “bolus”. Not too big and not too small.
Another interesting observation is when you try exotic dishes like crabs or chunks of meat. Here in the Middle East, they love eating with their hands. It’s simply tough to completely cut through crabs or heavy meat chunks when using forks and spoons. One may argue otherwise but certainly the Arabs don’t think so. And I think the Indians would agree as well.South Indians tend to mix and mash their food well in a manner that may seem a tad unpleasing to the eyes. But from a more intense perspective, the idea is to ensure that your food mixes well and that is certainly better to the stomach. Not that North Indians are left behind. Even they relish their paranthas with equal zest. Doesn't mean that I haven't noticed few fellow Indians trying hard to murder their dosas and rotis with the fork and spoons. Happens all the time...
After all, what could be better than for people who come from different cultures to "break bread" together with their hands? Cutlery would bring a sense of formality and kill the emotion. Lastly, an old Arab guy told me once that nothing beats the joy of eating with your hands as compared to spoon and fork. Digging in the food while eating, is also a sub-conscious way of bonding with your food. So don’t hesitate when you eat with your hands the next time. There is a quiet sense of joy and sensuous pleasure when you do that, he tells me. Do I agree? Indeed I do.
After all, even “Thalaiva Rajnikanth” eats with his own hands. Even that would be reason enough for many to follow suit. Mind it!!!
