Andrew Zimmern (of Bizarre Foods) on how to be the "perfect dinner guest"

[ipsedixit]

From the WSJ in an article titled, "The Perfect Guest at a Dinner Party":

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A guest at a dinner party has an important role. "The perfect dinner guest should be gracious and interested in the people around him or her," says Andrew Zimmern, host and creator of Travel Channel's "Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmern," who has been a dinner guest in the homes of royalty, tribal chiefs and average families as part of his shows.
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Read the whole thing for yourself here: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001...

[vikingkaj]

What, it's not eating extraplanetary size insects, funky little sea monsters or unmentionable bloody body parts with your fingers? That's what we see him doing on TV all the time.

Well, in China you have to slurp your noodles and belch...

Are you drinking that, or may I have your finger bowl???

[jarona]

I like Zimmern a lot. He seems like an amiable guy and the article was good, but there were a couple of things I would do differently. He states to check out the tsotskes and other things in the living room, house. I dunno 'bout that. I don't like when guests start looking around, it makes me think they are just being nosey and snoopey. Look with your eyes and don't walk around. I'm sitting with you b/c I've done the prep work and want you to feel welcomed when you are my guest. Also, the clean up. I clean after my guests leave. They should not have to do my chores--that is why they are a guest! Other than that, it was a great article!

[vikingkaj]

Again, servants is the way to go on the clean up. Of course, only if you don't have Travel Channel flunkies, um, er, I mean assistant producers...

[cleobeach]

I also have doubts about the commenting on tsotskes comment.

[foodieX2]

I like that he added a note about a small inexpensive host/hostess gift and the hand written thank you. Two things I think are quite wonderful and are often overlooked these days.

edited to add: Oh god I just stepped in it with the gift comment didn't I?

[vikingkaj]

It depends upon what kind of "gift" you left.

[Chatsworth]

I think "stepped in it" tells us all we need to know.

[morgasm]

I don't really enjoy cleaning up with guests over beyond clearing the table. I would prefer to visit and leave the dishes for later. Ive almost found it rude on certain occasions when hosts spent so much time getting their kitchen back to looking immaculate rather than spending the time chatting with their guests. When my guests leave thats when I choose to clean.

[vikingkaj]

You need to get servants...

[Veggo]

I thought it was simplistic for the WSJ. A primer on cultural dining dos and don'ts would be more useful.

[vikingkaj]

Yep for JP Morgan Chase Executives the advice should be don't eat your young...

[Veggo]

At least not until they have been fattened up a little...

[cresyd]

In general I think that this is good avice, but do feel that some of the comments towards the end were pretty particular to guest situations where there is a pretty distinct power difference (or perceived power difference - such as just about any American being hosted in a rural Moroccan home).

[youareabunny]

Would've loved to read it but I have to join.

I adore Zimmern.

[SmartCookie]

I was able to read it with no problem.

[ipsedixit]

It's not under a pay wall.

Try again youareabunny, if you can't access it, e-mail me.

[youareabunny]

Still tells me to log in or subscribe now. Is it free to join?

[ipsedixit]

No, it's not free to subscribe.

It's odd that everyone else seems to access it but you, esp. when it's not behind a pay wall of any kind.

As I mentioned above, if you're really dying to read the article, shoot me an e-mail.

[prio girl]

FYI..I cannot read it either

[youareabunny]

I am in France ATM, maybe because I'm registering from a French IP?

My email is [e-mail] if you could copy paste it. If you have to screenshot no worries. Thanks

[ipsedixit]

Check your e-mail.

[youareabunny]

Merci!

[hannaone]

I have never been able to access any WSJ content referenced in threads. Always get the subscribe page.

[youareabunny]

I used to be able to. There may b a quota

[ylsf]

Works for me as well. Are you outside of North America? I think if you have read more than a few articles already on WSJ then it prompts you for a subscription?