THE TABLE HAS TURNED

From fine-dining restaurants to cosy cafés across India, etiquette still exists but it now bends gently with the times

- BY VIJETHA IYER

One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well," Virginia Woolf once wrote. And truly—how we eat matters. Dining isn't just about the food anymore; it's a reflection of who we are, what we value and how the world around us is changing. What was once all about rigid rituals and proper forks has slowly evolved into something softer, more intuitive and more inclusive. Shaped by global influences, growing guest awareness and a collective shift toward wellness and sustainability.

Dining today is less about rules and more about experience. From fine-dining restaurants to cosy cafés across India, etiquette still exists but it now bends gently with the times. Let's take a closer look at how table manners have transformed over the years.

THE EVOLUTION

Globalization has significantly influenced dining etiquette, introducing new cuisines, utensils, and dining styles. Chef Johnson Ebenezer, Co-Founder of Farmlore, highlighted that with the increased cultural exchange, people are more likely to encounter and adopt different customs, leading to a more diverse and dynamic dining landscape.