# Food and drink with rituals attached **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking, liquor-alcohol\ **Created:** [November 28, 2023, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-and-drink-with-rituals-attached/993826 "2023-11-28T23:29:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-and-drink-with-rituals-attached/993826/21 "2023-11-29T16:31:03Z")
> [@Briny\_Deep](#): > > isn’t there something about bashing Irish soda bread against the wall I can’t answer this, but it does remind me of the thing some people do where they don’t feel like the spaghetti pasta is done until they’ve thrown a noodle to stick on the wall. It’s a goofy habit, but it might qualify as a mini-ritual for cooks who don’t feel like their process is complete without flinging the noodle. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 4:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-and-drink-with-rituals-attached/993826/22 "2023-11-29T16:33:26Z")
> [@WildaBeast](#): > > I think tea in Japan is probably the obvious one. Heck, even regular tea service. I boil water and use it to heat the pot. Then when I brew tea in the pot I cover it with a cozy. The first time I made tea for my gf she mentioned that I was the first guy she knew who had a teapot cozy. Why drink lukewarm tea? I’ve known people who decide when their pasta is done cooking by throwing a strand at their refrigerator. When it sticks it is done. They tend to be the type of people who do not clean up the thrown strands. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-and-drink-with-rituals-attached/993826/23 "2023-11-29T16:38:23Z")
There are rituals followed when smoking cannabis. Passing left or right, offering greens to guests, he who rolls it sparks it, keep your saliva in your mouth, ash before you pass, clear the bong before passing it, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-and-drink-with-rituals-attached/993826/24 "2023-11-29T16:39:46Z")
Candy in a piñata. ETA: and the candy that’s ritually thrown during Bar and Bat Mitzvah ceremonies. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-and-drink-with-rituals-attached/993826/25 "2023-11-29T16:57:49Z")
Tequila w/ needing salt & a lime to guzzle it down. Sambuca w/ _three_ coffee beans A toast is traditionally champagne ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-and-drink-with-rituals-attached/993826/26 "2023-11-29T16:59:48Z")
Only if you buy it at a somewhat pretentious place where the waiter makes it tableside. Generally it’s served without any ritual or fanfare. > [@jnglmassiv](#): > > I was thinking saginaki with its catchphrase: “Opa!” I think “Opa!” is more of a catch-all celebratory exclamation in Greek. My friend’s dad Steve (actually Stavros) tends to get a bit tipsy and start offering ouzo shots later in the day during Greek Easter celebrations, and they’re always accompanied by a group “OPA!” No saganaki anywhere to be seen, and maybe only a little bit of souvlaki or part of the lamb on the spit that didn’t get devoured is hanging out somewhere by that point. ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-and-drink-with-rituals-attached/993826/27 "2023-11-29T17:03:02Z")
In Tijuana, after a discreet arrangement with your companions, a waiter will surprise you by dumping a shot of tequila in your mouth, covering it with a rag, and violently shaking your skull while blowing a whistle. Spoilered to protect the sensibilities of some community members, although it’s consensual behavior: In upscale Parisian establishments, young catamites will evacuate their bladders, then be catheterized with a white wine injection. This will be served to the Bacchanalian patrons as if from a wineskin. And of course the preprandial thanking of the Deity who made us with stomachs for allowing us to fill them at least one more day, usually at the expense of one of His other creations. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-and-drink-with-rituals-attached/993826/28 "2023-11-29T17:13:32Z")
> [@Slithy\_Tove](#): > > In upscale Parisian establishments, young catamites will evacuate their bladders, then be catheterized with a white wine injection. This will be served to the Bacchanalian patrons as if from a wineskin. Does this exist today or is this some ancient ritual? ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-and-drink-with-rituals-attached/993826/29 "2023-11-29T17:19:40Z")
I recall it being described among the postwar literati (Capote, Vidal, Tennessee Williams). Your username brings to mind another obscure dining ritual in the first _Faces of Death_, though with a monkey not mole. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-and-drink-with-rituals-attached/993826/30 "2023-11-29T17:21:53Z")
Three kings cake on January 6th (do not swallow the king /bean/baby) Eating Raclette has all sorts of rules, but thebig thing in Switzerland is Fondue. > **[The Rituals of the Fondue Party | The Cheese Professor](https://www.cheeseprofessor.com/blog/the-rituals-of-the-fondue-party)** > > The quirky traditions, and culture surrounding those bubbling pots of cheese. Also, when clinking glasses, look the person in the eye, say their name and then say, “Cheers”. At least, that’s what’s done here. And never cross someone else’s clinking - this is considered unlucky and bad manners. ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-and-drink-with-rituals-attached/993826/31 "2023-11-29T17:24:45Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > In high school we had a field trip to downtown Chicago. We went to Greektown for lunch (two bus loads of kids). You just unlocked a memory from grade school. We also had a class trip downtown only it was to go to Mass at Holy Name Cathedral. What fun! Luckily, after the church part, we were going to McDonald’s. We had to bring cash and place our own order, very adult. I was going to get what mom never let me: A McDLT. I ordered and waited and waited and never did get my food before we were hurried out for the bus. No food & no money. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-and-drink-with-rituals-attached/993826/32 "2023-11-29T17:35:43Z")
> [@Die\_Capacitrix](#): > > Also, when clinking glasses, look the person in the eye, say their name and then say, “Cheers”. when I do the “Cheers” thing I clinck glasses, then drink. My gf scolded me the first time she saw me do this. According to her, after clinking glasses the glass has to touch the bar again before you drink. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-and-drink-with-rituals-attached/993826/33 "2023-11-29T17:38:33Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > My gf scolded me the first time she saw me do this. According to her, after clinking glasses the glass has to touch the bar again before you drink. I’ve only ever seen this done in a pub and only with a beer or shot (mostly a shot). Never seen it when dining in a restaurant and certainly never with wine in a stemmed wine glass (or scotch/whiskey/etc). ---
**Author:** ![Slithy\_Tove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slithy_tove/32/18248_2.png) [@Slithy\_Tove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slithy_Tove)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-and-drink-with-rituals-attached/993826/34 "2023-11-29T17:44:59Z")
Traditionally a shot of vodka was followed with a nibble of herring and a bite of bread, but times of famine created the ritual of only sniffing a precious piece of dark rye bread after downing the shot. ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-and-drink-with-rituals-attached/993826/35 "2023-11-29T18:03:39Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > I’ve only ever seen this done in a pub and only with a beer or shot (mostly a shot). Aha. They were doing that on Ted Lasso. I thought it was done to settle the foam or something. I’ve never seen it done in person. Much of the glass clinking here in Switzerland is done at a table or while standing around, such as at a cocktail party. No bar available. ---
**Author:** ![Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/q.q.switcheroo/32/5713_2.png) [@Q.Q.Switcheroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.Q.Switcheroo)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-and-drink-with-rituals-attached/993826/36 "2023-11-29T18:34:17Z")
Ayahuasca is traditionally consumed as part of an elaborate ceremony led by a shaman. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-and-drink-with-rituals-attached/993826/37 "2023-11-29T19:25:16Z")
> [@Die\_Capacitrix](#): > > I’ve never seen it done in person. A barman in Prague told us to do it this way and described it as a general tradition which was well respected locally. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [November 29, 2023, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-and-drink-with-rituals-attached/993826/38 "2023-11-29T23:49:35Z")
> [@Die\_Capacitrix](#): > > [The big] thing in Switzerland is Fondue. We pretend we’re Swiss (8th generation, but I’ll take whatever ethnicity I can). My sister’s side of the family performs elaborate rituals in making The Fondue, often pressing the younger generation into grating expensive Emmenthaler (from Ze Olde Country, of course), or straining the handmade Kirschwasser. A friend who’s from Lucerne, and is Actually Swiss, asked “Why doesn’t she do what her current relatives back in Switzerland do?” “What’s that?” “Pop down to the Aldi and buy a few boxes of Fondue In A Pouch!” He explained that none of his friends or family (in the Berner Oberland) can tell the difference between fondue made with locally-sourced Kirsch, or Gruyère from Gruyère; and the “red box with the white cow on it”. ---
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 12:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-and-drink-with-rituals-attached/993826/39 "2023-11-30T00:04:21Z")
What? No one has been to a Benihanna Japanese restaurant, with the egg smashing and shrimp flinging? (Yeah, I haven’t been to one for decades either.) Here in Minnesota we have some “Dutch” restaurants that serve pannekoeken, a baked pancake/omelet that rises in the oven. It deflates quickly, so as the server brings it out they run through the restaurant shouting “Pannekoeken!” to warn people to get out of the way. It’s fun, but disappointing if the server isn’t enthusiastic about it. There’s a scene in one of the MST3K episodes where something similar happens in a restaurant. When Mike/Joel shouts “Pannekoeken!” I just about died: another Minnesota reference that probably went over most viewers’ heads. Unfortunately I can’t remember which episode though. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2023, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-and-drink-with-rituals-attached/993826/40 "2023-11-30T00:39:12Z")
At a pub in Fort William, Scotland, some locals taught me the “proper” way to drink Drambuie. To this day (almost 50 years later) I don’t know if they were having me on or not: First of all, the drink must be warm and neat. Second, you should light a match and burn off some of the vapor above it. Third, you should “sip” it by taking a small amount between your lower lip and front teeth and inhaling, essentially drawing the alcohol directly into your lungs. After I had done this a few times, one of the middle-aged women at the table shook her head and said “Oh, he’s going to be so stoned!” and I was. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-and-drink-with-rituals-attached/993826.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/food-and-drink-with-rituals-attached/993826.md?page=3)