Today's Manners Monday post is a shorter one, but it's one that we're all faced with. It's really a gentle reminder that true ladies never eat a meal behind the wheel of a car.
I've sat at many traffic lights and turned to my right or left and watched a woman shove a hot dog, hamburger or handful of french fries into her mouth. It always makes me cringe. While there is nothing wrong with the occasional fast food treat, there is something wrong with eating one's lunch or dinner while in the driver's seat of a vehicle. There's just something so crass and unappealing about it. It always reminds me of piggies gobbling down their daily feed-it's anything but feminine, ladylike or elegant.
There are also the folks who zip through the drive-thru only to park in the fast food lot and eat their meal on their lap. When I park somewhere to go inside I always feel a bit sorry for that person that I see as I get out of my car-they always look so lonely or as if they need to feed their food obsession in private. One way to eat in a more ladylike and polite manner is to eat with others, such as your co-workers or a with a friend over lunch. When proper utensils are required, sitting up straight, placing a napkin in your lap and dabbing your mouth with it when necessary along with other proper table etiquette become routine.
I'm a real person just like you and there are times when I run late, dash out the door to get somewhere and that granola bar or banana become a life saver. Life happens, none of us are perfect but making a habit of eating while behind the wheel is not at all classy. Make it your absolute last resort and let the items you bring from home come with a napkin, be small and bite-sized and not something that will crumble and make a mess on your outfit or in your car. The best option on the go is a fruit smoothie- you won't spill with a straw and if you have them add protein it will be filling for a few hours. There are so many smoothie places these days and even Starbucks can make you one in a pinch. :)
Instead, make the time for a proper breakfast or meal where you can sit down and chew your food and digest it properly. If you must eat on the run, take an extra 10-15 minutes the night before to prepare something that's easy to eat while you're still inside your house getting ready such as a bowl of cut fruit, a muffin, yogurt, etc.
Eating in the car is not only tacky but it can be dangerous. Remember the scene from 'The Wedding Planner' where Jennifer Lopez nearly gets run over by a cab driver who is desperate to save his ice cream from falling off the cone and choose to pay his attention to it instead of the road? It can also cause food particles to fall between seats, under the seat or mats or in small crevices that are hard to clean and it can create an unpleasant odor in one's car which is not very appealing. Here are 5 tips on keeping a clean car.
No matter how hungry you are upon picking up take-out, resist the urge to eat it until you are home. You'll enjoy your meal a whole lot more that way. By keeping a small container of almonds or other nuts in your car and a bottle of water on hand at all times, you'll have a perfect little snack that will keep you feeling full so you won't feel the need to go through a drive-thru or snack on your take away meal while on the road.
What are your thoughts on eating in one's car? If you have to, what types of things do you limit yourself to while in your own vehicle?
Thanks for reading!
XO
