Sunday, April 25, 2010

Readers of this column must be in a hungry kind of mood. Here are answers to two recent questions.

What is the proper way to eat a kebab? I have given up eating them because I embarrass myself in one way or another every time I try. A little guidance from you would be much appreciated.

I think I know why you might have given up eating them. Did some of the kebab go flying off your plate and onto the table? I have been a victim of this myself. In that situation all we can do is laugh at ourselves and start over.

When eating a kebab as a main dish I find the most graceful way to eat one is to hold the kebab in your left hand (assuming you are right handed) and slide a piece or two from the skewer off with your fork. I continue like this until all of the meat and vegetables are off the skewer and on the plate.

If the kebab is an appetizer, a different approach is needed. I was with family recently at a very elegant dinner party celebrating the 50th wedding anniversary of my in-laws, and kebabs were passed around during cocktail hour. In this case, the best way to eat the kebab is to hold it in both hands and take small bites of the meat directly from the skewer. I must admit that I was grateful that no piece of meat fell off the skewer and onto the floor.

Also remember that this was a family event. The best alternative in a business situation might be to politely pass up any kebab in the first place. The main objective in a professional situation is not to draw unwanted, unflattering attention to yourself and lose your credibility in the process.

My friends and I love to dine at the Nordstrom Caf inside the new Nordstrom at Kenwood Towne Center. But we are confused as to whether to tip the servers since the bill does not have a line for tip. Since we order at the entrance and then sit down where our food is delivered to us, what is the appropriate amount to tip, if any?

I enjoy dining there as well, and I understand your confusion. It is contrary to what we know to stand in line to order, be seated and waited on, and then not have a traditional restaurant receipt with the space for the tip. Many wonder if tipping a few dollars suffices or if the traditional 15 percent to 20 percent applies.

I did a bit of research and found that traditional tipping rules apply at the Nordstrom Caf. Since I have found the servers there to be quite pleasant, I would recommend a tip of 18 percent to 20 percent, and at the very least 15 percent. Remember tip stands for "to insure prompt service," and if we want the dining experience to continue to be pleasant we should take care of the servers. Since the meal has been paid for at the time of placing the order your only option is to leave a cash tip. Enjoy!

Cincinnati-based JH Image Consulting conducts individual and corporate consulting on appearance, behavior, communication and etiquette. Jill is certified with the Association of Image Consultants International. Reach her at 513-505-2732, jill@jhimage.net, or www.jhimage.net.

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