The article addresses two main etiquette questions posed to Miss Manners. The first concerns a reader's practice of covering their mouth while speaking, which is perceived as strange rather than polite. The second question revolves around whether one should wait to check the doneness of their steak until all meals are served, particularly in larger groups. Miss Manners advises that while the effort to be considerate is appreciated, it's important to be aware of social signals and optics in dining situations.
Miss Manners notes that covering your mouth while talking can appear odd, as it resembles someone sharing a secret with themselves rather than being considerate of others' comfort.
The proper dining etiquette, especially in larger groups, suggests waiting until everyone's meal is served before checking the doneness of your steak to avoid any perception of impatience.
Miss Manners highlights that the server's invitation to cut into meat can be coercive, yet she advises using discretion in large gatherings to maintain politeness.
The optics of prematurely cutting into a steak can create misunderstandings in group settings, and waiting to check the meat's doneness demonstrates respect for fellow diners.
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