Unfamiliar To Westerners: Why We Eat With Our Hands And Why It's Not ‘Uncivilised'

News18

13-07-2025

From ancient traditions to modern misjudgments, why eating with hands shouldn't offend anyone.
A video of Zohran Mamdani, the 33-year-old Democratic nominee for New York City's mayoral race in 2025, eating biryani with his bare hands has gone viral. But instead of focusing on the biryani or the man behind it, the internet has turned the spotlight on something else entirely – how he ate.
While this simple, culturally-rooted act should have gone unnoticed, the comment section tells a different story. Flooded with racist, derogatory remarks – many from Western users – the video has sparked a larger conversation around cultural ignorance and the ongoing stigma associated with eating with hands.
Zohran says his worldview is inspired by the 3rd world while eating rice with his hands pic.twitter.com/FDaQfcNSJv — End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) June 29, 2025
But Zohran Mamdani, son of acclaimed academic Mahmood Mamdani and veteran filmmaker Mira Nair, wasn't committing a crime. He was simply eating biryani the way he has likely done his entire life. In South Asian households, eating with hands isn't just common, it's meaningful.
A Sacred Act, Not a Strange One
Long before forks and knives entered Western dining rooms, ancient civilisations -from Egyptians and Mesopotamians to Greeks and people of the Indus Valley – ate with their hands. In India, this method is rooted in sacred traditions. The Vedas and Upanishads regard eating with hands as a mindful ritual that connects the body, mind, and food.
Geography and Cuisine Go Hand in Hand
Culturally and geographically, Indian food lends itself to this style – think fluffy rice, soft rotis, and richly spiced gravies best enjoyed by mixing and scooping with fingers. Every bite becomes personal, tailored to taste and texture.
On the other hand, Western cuisine, often structured and mild, lends itself to knives and forks. But even in the West, hand-eating was once the norm. Forks appeared in southern Europe only around the 11th century, and it wasn't until the late 18th century that Americans began regularly using them. Earlier, spoons and hands were standard.
Dining etiquette, particularly the use of cutlery, evolved not from hygiene but hierarchy. During medieval times, aristocrats used utensils as status symbols, and books like The Courtier turned etiquette into a class divider. Fast forward to today, and similar notions are being recycled on social media as 'proper" table manners.
Hygiene Is Not the Issue, But Ignorance Is
Critics often reduce eating with hands to a hygiene issue, but this ignores a long-standing tradition rooted in mindfulness, respect, and community. As cultural anthropologist Dr Aditi Verma explains, in Indian society, dining practices reflect deeper values – purity, gratitude, and social etiquette. Washing hands before and after meals has always been a part of the process, making cleanliness an intrinsic part of hand-eating, not an afterthought.
Even beyond the plate, gestures made with the right hand in Indian culture reflect reverence, be it while exchanging money, offering something, or simply greeting someone. These aren't just habits; they're symbols of heritage and belonging.
So, whether you prefer forks, chopsticks, or your fingers, the real takeaway is this: how someone eats is a reflection of who they are and where they come from. And there's no one right way to eat. As long as it's clean and respectful, let people enjoy their food, especially if it means finishing a good biryani by licking your fingers with joy.
view comments
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.