Although we live in a nation that celebrates freedom of choice many taboos still exist socially.  What offends one person may not necessarily offend the next which sometimes creates confusion on what is acceptable.  Many people are offended by the infamous “public display of affection” where others may welcome such openness from their peers.  Music, television, and video games are examples of things which can often come across as distasteful.  A more interesting question may be are there certain foods which should not be eaten in restaurants?  One would assume that proper dining etiquette should be mastered by adulthood.  Although many people learn manners from a young age, they often fall to the wayside for many people.  Even the use of a simple please and thank you can sometimes be neglected.  In a nation that prides itself on civility and decency there is no excuse for people practicing poor social behavior.  When out to eat in a restaurant one should realize there are no offensive foods, only offensive people.  

            Take a familiar scene at your local Italian restaurant where spaghetti and meatballs, chicken parmesan, and pizza are common features on the menu.  One would not find any of these meals to be distasteful; however, no one desires to watch a fellow patron slurping their spaghetti like a dog in “Lady and the Tramp”.   Veal, another menu staple at the same restaurant, is often enjoyed by many.  The same meal is often not chosen because of the way calves are treated before they reach the slaughter house.  If one chooses on occasion to partake in enjoying a tender veal cutlet they should not be viewed as a criminal.  If one has reservations against eating veal then they should simply not order it, but allow those who do to enjoy their meal.  As long as the person eating the meal is not making a slob of themselves, they have every right to eat it.

            Another area which seems to draw attention is those foods which fall under certain religious dietary laws.   Is it offensive for a person to enjoy a hot dog at a baseball game because they are sitting next to person whose religion forbids them to eat pork?  Anyone with any sort of common sense would answer this question with a straightforward “no”.   Again, it is that person’s choice to savor every last bite of that hot dog without worrying who is sitting in the seat next to them.  If their neighbor chooses to abstain from eating pork, then they do so upon their own free will and should not let their religious views judge their neighbor as rude or insensitive.  Also, there are other alternatives such as peanuts or hamburgers for the abstaining person to choose. There truly are no offensive foods in restaurants or other venues, only offensive people.  The person choosing to speak with their mouth full is doing more to offend their counterparts than the average sports fan enjoying a hot dog.  The grotesque slob with sauce all over their face is doing much more to disgust than the individual eating their tender piece of veal.  Those who are offended without any real reason fall under the common theme in America of those who concern themselves too much with being politically correct without actually enjoying themselves.  

            One thing which should never happen in a restaurant is talking on a cell phone.  There may not be anything ruder than holding a loud conversation on the phone, while other patrons are trying to eat.  People go to restaurants to enjoy a meal without having to deal with the hassle of cooking.  Restaurants are often locations for people to hold conversations with loved ones, friends, and sometimes coworkers.  These people often find their discussion interrupted by the loud obnoxious imbecile on the phone, and not by the person respectfully eating their meal.

            Food should be the last thing in a restaurant that offends its patrons.  Rude customers on cell phones do more to offend than a hot dog, veal cutlet, or any other “taboo” food.  Chewing with the mouth open, or speaking with the mouth full are other practices which revolt more than enjoying a meal.  For those who are insulted by a particular dish should make sure their own dining etiquette is up to par before they start pointing the finger.  Also, it may help if the same outraged person were to simply lighten up and allow others to enjoy their food, as they are often showed the same consideration.  Besides, it certainly is not the responsibility of every patron entering an establishment to know which foods will be offensive.  Relax and enjoy the meal while allowing others to do the same.