Eating escargot with ease

Today's blog post comes from Cindy, who has been traveling recently and hitting some escargot hot spots!  If you think eating snails sounds tricky, it is—but Cindy has some tips for us.

When in Rome (or France...)

Escargot, or snails, are absolutely delicious.....in France! Snail shells are grasped with a special holder, or escargot tongs, that your waiter will provide for you at the table.  You can see the tongs, which work like scissors, here in a red tin: 

A pick or oyster fork is provided, too.  With your left hand, pinch the holder and collapse the holder around the snail.  Using your right hand, you remove the meat with the small fork by pulling the meat from the shell.  The garlic butter remaining in the shell may be poured into the snail plate and sopped up with a small piece of French bread...ooh la la!  

 Do it this way! Mais oui!

Now, that sounds very simple doesn't it?  But it took me about three times to get comfortable...and look French...while eating escargot!  Here is what you don't do:

  Bad form: Do NOT do it this way. Non, non, non.

If you grasp the tongs and then collapse them firmly around the snail, you cannot pinch the tongs or your snail will drop out of the tongs.  Are you getting the picture?  Sometimes it lands on your plate, or off your plate, or across the table.  I should have known better...after all I've watched Pretty Woman several times!

Eating escargot properly can be tricky because the snail shell is a little slippery and the snail is most reluctant to come out.  It takes some angled positioning to get the shell and the snail apart from each other.  And, it is so worth it!  

 Pulling the snail from the shell.

There are some contrary opinions about how to convey the sopped up French bread in the garlic butter.  I had read that it was done with the fork in the right hand.  But, in watching other diners around me, most people would place their utensils down and use their hands to pinch off a small piece of bread, sop it in the garlic butter, and bring it to their mouth. And it tastes heavenly!  

You'll see escargot listed in menus as an appetizer, served 6 or 12 at a time. On recent travels, I tried to eat them every single day, and I can say I was successful! And, I got really good at it...eventually! When in France — or a French restaurant anywhere — remember these tips and try escargot!

Acting accordingly

Today’s blog post comes from Cindy! Take it away, Cindy...

“All persons shall conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with the intended use of the premises.”

That sign, in the lobby of the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park, is a fabulous example of how our manners should adapt to the environment.  As someone who has studied and taught these rules for a career, I would be the first to say there are some manners that are always consistent. For example, being respectful is always important just as being a great listener.

But there are moments when proper etiquette might be rather unusual—even counterintuitive—but still befitting the circumstances. Let me explain. 

Earlier this year, famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma presented a solo concert at Hodgson Hall on the campus of the University of Georgia. He was dressed in a beautifully tailored suit playing a one-of-a-kind antique cello.  The audience was spellbound as he played.

After the intermission, he arrived on stage with his suit jacket off wearing a red UGA sweatshirt!  And, the crowd went crazy, yelling “Go Dawgs!” and even woof-woof-woofing! 

After the concert, a friend saw me and expressed her dismay that people would start yelling in the concert hall.  I agreed that for one second I thought I was at a football game, but very quickly added how wonderful it was that a professional cellist at the top of his game could share his expertise and get a rousing response from the audience when he chose to identify with their home team and home town!  I would equal it to someone bringing me a favorite bottle of wine when they were invited to my home for dinner.  After this exchange, my friend was accepting and even thoughtful about what she had experienced. 

So, back to that sign in the hotel lobby. We should all think about where we are and how we should act accordingly! Even yelling in a concert hall has its place. BRAVO!

Symphonies 101

Today’s blog post comes from Cindy, who recently attended several live performances in Athens, Atlanta, and New York City and says, “I am convinced a mandatory refresher course in concert etiquette is in order.”

So, here it is: Symphony Etiquette 101 by Cindy Haygood 

First things first: No humming with the orchestra or performer or choral group. Sutton Foster has a gorgeous voice and doesn’t need you to accompany her, even if it is your favorite Cole Porter song! Speaking of audience participation—please sit relatively still. The dancers are on stage.

Secondly: When the president of the ballet company’s board of directors stands on stage requesting you to please refrain from all use of electronic devices during the performance, he really meant everybody! All people! Everyone! Even the lady we saw who checked her phone messages, lighting up the concert hall like the Fourth of July.

Now, a word on clapping. Do not clap until the end of the entire piece of music. Do not clap between movements. Not sure if the music’s over? Take a look at your program. It might look like this:

Piano Concerto No. 23 in A major by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, 1786 

     Allegro in A major 

     Adagio in F-sharp minor 

     Allegro assai in A and alla breve 

The above piece has three movements and they are indented beneath the main title of the piece. Applaud after the final movement. There is usually a short pause between movements, but resist clapping—think of it as a time for the orchestra to catch their breath.

Some FAQs: 

Should I bring the family? 
Sure, if it’s a family-friendly concert—just have reasonable expectations. Some orchestras recommend waiting to bring your child until he or she is 6 years old.

Supervision is essential, according to our friend Albert F. Ligotti, a professional trumpet player for the New York Philharmonic for 11 years under the direction of Leonard Bernstein, and the founder of the Athens (Ga.) Symphony.

“I don’t mind hearing children talking; it’s not that distracting,” says Ligotti. “But letting them run down the aisle is the biggest complaint.”

That’s right—Ligotti has often seen children race up and down the aisle during a concert, sometimes even approaching the stage. “It’s disconcerting to the players,” he says.

What do I wear to the Symphony?
Your clothing should reflect the occasion. Think about the venue. If it is outside in the amphitheater, think of comfortable clothing suitable for outside weather. One of my favorites is the Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park in Houston, Texas. And because it is located in a park, there is a very casual feel about this venue. Even the members of the symphony have on casual dress uniform clothing. On the other hand, if it is an ornate, gilded hall, dress up for the occasion. No matter where you are, however, leave the baseball cap at home!

When should I arrive?
 The accepted practice is to be in your seat 15 minutes prior to the start of the concert. This gives you time to look through the program notes and to be comfortably situated for the performance. In most venues around the world, there are strict rules about arriving late. Some theaters will not seat you until after a selection of music is complete, or until after intermission. So don’t be late!

 Is it okay to use my cell phone as a camera?
No. Lights, cameras, action are for movie sets, not live performances of a symphony! Remember there are copyright issues at stake, too, especially if you have plans to film copyrighted material and post it online (something that technology may soon prevent).

What about a bottle of water in the concert hall?
Unless you need it for health reasons, it is not advisable! Mostly because getting the bottle out to drink will result in noise and a possible accident.

Can I get out my cell phone and take notes, doodle, play games…? 
Please don’t! You are to watch, listen, enjoy, be mesmerized and be entertained by live music…not your cell phone!

How should I handle people leaving my row during intermission?
Try to stand or move your legs to the side to help people exit gracefully. Remaining in your seat and not acknowledging someone’s need to exit is rude and inconsiderate. Plus, this is a good time to talk and meet the people around you, so why not interact now (and not during the show)?

What really bugs you about people’s behaviors or lack of mannerly behavior at concerts? I’d really like to know. Send me an e-mail!

Note: you can find our etiquette advice on attending rock shows here.