The family then wash hands and faces and the father says a short
prayer, after which all take their seats and the meal begins. Neither
knives nor forks are used, but the meat is torn from the bones with
the fingers only, and with the left hand each one dips, from time to
time, bread, meat or vegetables into the broth or gravy as he wishes,
and then tosses it into his mouth, without allowing his fingers to
touch his lips. This requires some dexterity, and children are not
permitted at the family board till they have learned thus to acquit
themselves. If, however, the fingers of any one, child or adult,
should chance to come in contact with the lips, though ever so
slightly, he is required to leave the table instantly and perform
his ablutions over again, or else to take the dish from which he was
eating to himself, and touch no other during the meal. In drinking
they exercise the same caution, adroitly throwing the liquid into the
mouth or throat without touching the lips with the cup or glass. The
left hand is the one with which food is always taken; and the reason
assigned is, that the right, having of necessity to perform most
labor, is more frequently brought in contact with things unclean.
I once made a voyage with an American lady and gentleman in a Bombay
ship that was owned and commanded by a wealthy Parsee merchant, though
the real sailing-master and mate were Englishmen. Our party ate at one
table, and the Parsee nabob had his own in solitary state.
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