2 weeks ago
Fine Dining Etiquette: Never Pick Teeth Openly, Coach Says
A lady named Shalini Rathod teaches people how to behave nicely at fancy dinners.
She made a video with a famous actress named Kareena Kapoor Khan.
In the video, she shows that you should cover your mouth when you eat in public.
She says you should never pick your teeth where everyone can see you.
If you must use a toothpick, you should hide your mouth with your hand.
Toothpicks have a little groove at the top called the 'rest'.
After using a toothpick, you break it and put the used end in that groove.
This keeps the dirty part from touching the table.
A doctor named Anjana Kalia also gives tips.
She says to use toothpicks only when you really need to, and to wrap them in a napkin when you are done.
These rules are for fancy dinners, not for everyday meals at home.
Being polite at dinner can make people think you are smart and trustworthy.
Confidence & Image Coach Shalini Rathod shared fine-dining etiquette tips in an Instagram reel featuring Kareena Kapoor Khan.
Rathod advises covering your mouth with a hand while eating and never picking teeth openly at the table.
She explained the 'rest' groove on toothpicks: break the used toothpick and place the pointed end in the groove to keep it hidden.
Dr Anjana Kalia recommends limiting toothpick use to informal settings, wrapping used toothpicks in napkins, and avoiding fidgeting or chewing.
A 2020 study in the Journal of Applied Social Psychology found that following dining etiquette boosts perceptions of trustworthiness, competence, and social intelligence.
- Who
- Shalini Rathod, a Confidence & Image Coach, and Dr Anjana Kalia, an Ayurvedic Doctor & Nutritionist at Bloom Clinix
- What
- Fine-dining etiquette tips, including how to discreetly use and dispose of toothpicks
- Where
- Instagram, featuring a scene with Kareena Kapoor Khan
- When
- Recently, as part of Rathod's Instagram reel
- Why
- To promote correct dining etiquette for formal settings and reduce infection risk from toothpick use
Etiquette Advocates
Pragmatic Diners
Toothpick Use in Formal Settings
Etiquette Advocates
Toothpicks should be used discreetly at the table when stepping away isn't possible, following proper hygiene.
Pragmatic Diners
It's healthier to excuse yourself to the restroom for toothpick use in formal events to avoid spreading germs.
Key facts
- Coach
- Shalini Rathod, Confidence & Image Coach
- Featured Celebrity
- Kareena Kapoor Khan
- Medical Expert
- Dr Anjana Kalia, Ayurvedic Doctor & Nutritionist at Bloom Clinix
- Key Rule
- Never pick teeth openly; cover mouth with hand or napkin
- Toothpick 'Rest' Groove
- Break used toothpick and place pointed end in the groove
- Study Reference
- 2020 study in Journal of Applied Social Psychology
- Applicability
- Fine dining only, not daily use
Quotes
Shalini Rathod
Confidence & Image Coach and etiquette video creator
“"Never pick your teeth openly," says Shalini Rathod, a popular Confidence & Image Coach…”
indianexpress.com







