On the Continent people have good food; in England people have good table manners.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Mikes contrasts continental European culture, which prioritizes culinary quality, with English culture, which prioritizes etiquette over the food itself.
- In plain terms
- Europeans focus on eating well, while the English focus on how they eat.
- What can you take from it?
- Cultural values often prioritize form over substance in daily habits.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What does your country prioritize in dining?
- How does etiquette influence food perception?
Another view
The quote relies on broad generalizations that may not apply to individuals.
More from George Mikes
Continental people have sex lives; the English have hot-water bottles.
Permalink to quote #2 An Englishman, even if he is alone, forms an orderly queue of one.
Permalink to quote #3 The trouble with tea is that originally it was quite a good drink. So a group of the most eminent British scientists put their heads together, and made complic…
Permalink to quote #4
Related quotes
As for The Mapp... I suspect it'll never get a US publication. It seemed to frighten US publishers. They don't seem to understand it. That seems to point up a …
Terry PratchettTerry Pratchett quote #6 The Japanese have perfected good manners and made them indistinguishable from rudeness.
Paul TherouxPaul Theroux quote #12 Manners: 'Callousness and insolence bring to bare unanimous social condemnation, while the simple efforts of politeness are admired; even in those who are othe…
Bryant McGillBryant McGill quote #44