by Ginger Philbrick
It is a lovely afternoon reception. There is wine and, because your hosts are thoughtful, a selection of non-alcoholic beverages. They have also provided a generous and tantalizing table laden with sweets and savories.
When you take a polite nibble from the country ham biscuit, you are smitten. The buttery biscuit and salty ham are the stuff your taste buds dream of, and you want more! But you can hear your mother instructing you to finish all on your plate before returning to the table for seconds.
You take a reasonable amount of time to consume the other delectables on your plate, glancing every now and then toward the ham biscuit platter. You are pleased to observe it still holds an ample offering of biscuits.
Then an old acquaintance touches your elbow, says your name and exclaims how delighted she is to see you again. A lively conversation ensues about trips abroad, COVID three times, a grandchild going to UCLA and an ingrown toenail. When your friend moves on, you remember the ham biscuits. It is time.
You take a few steps to the buffet table and are flattened to see the platter is still there, but now it is showcasing only one biscuit. You take a breath and consider the options. You could: surreptitiously reach over and rescue that biscuit; leave it and chalk the experience up as another of life’s disappointments; or ask the host if there are more. And then, your mother’s wisdom is in play again and you turn to the nearest guests at the table and ask, “Would you care for this last biscuit?”
As you wait for the answer, you hope they will obey their mothers’ wisdom, too, and reply, “Oh no, thank you. You have it, please.”
When that is exactly what they do say, you say “thank you,” deliver the biscuit to your plate and then to your mouth. You’re a bit smug because you know you have done the right thing. After all, think of the inexcusable waste of perfectly delicious country ham biscuits all over the world and through the ages if no one took the last one. Unimaginable.
Ginger Philbrick is the owner of Because You Are Polite LLC. You are invited to email your manners questions to her and she will respond as time and space allow. You may contact her at youarepolite1@gmail.com.
