484742 Wed Jan 30 13:56:01 -0800 2008 6 33 Food Media and News 0 3349415 for all the harold mcgee fans... http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/30/dining/30curious.html?ref=dining Wed Jan 30 13:56:01 -0800 2008 103920 goodhealthgourmet 1 3351098 Interesting - this Table Manners piece (from the Chow side of these boards) from last December references a *different* study with similar results: http://www.chow.com/stories/10863 Thu Jan 31 03:57:21 -0800 2008 3349415 18512 Allstonian 1 3358329 Cool. I always use "Kissing" as a yard stick. I had a GF that wouldn't let me try a lick of her ice cream but would give me a kiss that would suck my tonsils out. If I had any left. DT Sat Feb 02 08:31:59 -0800 2008 3349415 11291 Davwud 1 3358391 I usually host small gatherings of 8 or fewer, and each has a seat with adjacent horizontal space for beverage and more. For my oyster dip and shrimp coctail, by example, I prepare a small bowl of the goopy stuff, on a plate with crackers/chips, for each person to eat at their seat. This is not because I'm Howard Hughesian about germs; I'm more concerned about people drinking alcohol and then walking halfway across my white carpeting while manuevering gobs of colorful things that drip. Those who overeat are likely to scavenge the remainder from those who undereat, so there is not much waste from the division; just a few more dishes to wash. That aside; double-dipping in a communal bowl is GROSS Sat Feb 02 09:04:31 -0800 2008 3349415 57170 Veggo 2 3358415 "......double-dipping in a communal bowl is GROSS" I so agree with you! Actually, I don't like dips but have to capitulate in favor of the ubquitous Shrmp Cocktail. My family would lynch me if it weren't present at all family get togethers. (yawn) To counter the double dippers at a party I set out small plates and cocktail forks with a serving spoon in the sauce. I much prefer to have a cheese tray or thick and savory spreadables. Sat Feb 02 09:15:43 -0800 2008 3358391 75332 Gio 3 3358475 As a modest Italian-American who can cook up a storm, I bet you can fix a mean antipasta! Sat Feb 02 09:41:28 -0800 2008 3358415 57170 Veggo 4 3359571 Who said anything about "modest.?" Too much of a good thing is a good thing!! Of course I can put together a wonderful antipasto. Several platters full, in fact.....of various and delicatable salumi, fishes and vegetables both hot and cold. Breads, Olive oil, the best vinegars. That's a given in any Italian home. In mine at least. Sat Feb 02 16:47:05 -0800 2008 3358475 75332 Gio