Over a delightful family lunch today, we discussed the habits of some who don't like to leave behind a grain of rice on their plates at the end of a meal, or an ounce of curry at the bottom of the serving bowl. This resurrected a buried treasure within me, a golden nugget of "This one time..." and here it is.
This one time, when I was 8 or 9, I decided that I would lick my plate clean...literally. My dad was appalled (I am guessing by his reaction) and he frowned when he said, "You are NOT an animal!" That statement is highly debatable in some circles. Maybe my very strong desire to devour the remnants of my meal with my tongue was, in fact, an animalistic instinct. But I am not interested in the psychology behind it.
Some time over the last year, the idea was like lightning in my head: beautiful, brilliant and commanding attention. So I did it. I picked up my plate and traced the last drops of food with my tongue. And I can't promise I won't do it again!
Licking one's plate is not a socially accepted norm, much like grocery shopping in your bathrobe. But last week while shopping at Superstore, I did spot a man in his bathrobe, shopping with his family. Nobody was harmed in the process (psychological health of his children notwithstanding) and I happen to feel that way about licking the platter clean.
Jack Spratt did it. His wife did it. Oddly enough, that was their ticket to immortality!
What's YOURS?
I thought of you as I walked home from the pool just now - wondering, "seriously, WHY do social norms prevent us from doing what makes sense to do here - walk home in a bathrobe"??!!! :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for lunch today. What a great surprise to have you in the hood. Hope your dad had a happy birthday.
lol lol lol this is so funny! i couldn't stop laughing as i pictured you and others (~hint hint~) who have done this "not-to-do" and enjoyed it so much! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat's wrong with wearing a robe to get some milk??
ReplyDelete