I’m going to stay as far away as I can from the issues of gender roles in relationships. It’s been covered quite well here and at Ann’s blog. But I do intend to convey my sympathies toward those who desire their significant others to peel their prawns. I lack the required dexterity to peel prawns with utensils, and depending on the company I’m too prissy and needlessly self-conscious to commence with the deed using my hands. When unsure, I usually just crunch! crunch! crunch! like Ann mentioned (but that can invite weird looks from onlookers, too, depending on where you are).
When I was last at Yang’s parent’s home in Lentor for dinner, I had just arrived in Singapore that morning and hadn’t slept a wink in just shy of 40 hours. But once those large, juicy prawns were situated upon the table in front of me, I began to perk up. They were so enticing, but something occurred to me: How am I supposed to eat them? I didn’t want to commit a potential faux pas, so I waited until someone else dug in to see how they approached those tasty-tailed devils.
This required much discipline. A steely resolve washed over me. I watched as family members served themselves that oh-so-delicious rendang, tended to their soup bowls, and poked at the three-layer pork.
To my dismay, the prawns remained ignored. When Chek-Tchung, sitting to my right, reached across the table, my heart skipped a beat—but no, he chose instead to secure a hardy portion of Hainanese chicken. A more severe act of unintended cruelty I have never known. :)
Then finally Jasmine mercifully snatched up a prawn. I was all eyes.
But to my astonished horror, she began dismantling the little bastard with her fork and spoon. This, my friends, just would not do. In my incapable hands we’d have more prawns on Mrs. Foo’s floor than on the table. I wouldn’t have blamed anyone if they’d sent me to Pedra Branca to dodge bird droppings for the duration of my stay.
But, thankfully, Jasmine and others soon after chose to forego the utensils, merrily peeling away those translucent layers with their fingers and piling the remains into a tidy pile to be discarded later. Now this I could do and do well!
I’m of course playing up this little anxiety of mine, but it serves to remind me that in a casual situation having someone handy who can systematically peel those plump prawns is some kind of a blessing. And as for the dinner at Mr. and Mrs. Foo’s, it remains the culinary highlight of my stay in Southeast Asia—great company and great food!
hahaha…. somehow this pic looks v familiar… the broccoli looks delicious… everything looks delicious….
my elder brother will pop one whole prawn in his mouth and crunch crunch crunch!!! LOL… it’s quite normal to do that in singapore so it’s ok. he’d also put a chicken wing in and ziooop, spit out the two bones. LOL
that’s why i like tempura la! no shells!!!
Matt, it’s perfectly fine to use our hands to de-shell those crustaceans. I think Jas was just trying to avoid appearing too uncivilized in front of you. See, even she gave up the pretence, after warming up as the meal progressed.
As for myself, somehow I still prefer to use the cutlery; just in case there’s an itch that needs to be scratched somewhere…
Ann, judging from that picture, I’m so sleep-deprived it appears that the breeze produced from the fan behind me might nudge my face into the table. Moments later, however, as we all sat down to eat, my eyes became as large as saucers. I’ve always found the prospect of eating good food to be the ultimate caffeine.
Tchung, last night I decided to attempt to de-shell some prawns using only my dining utensils. I figured if nothing else, I’d have clean hands with which to cover my face in shameful failure should it turn out badly. Sensing potential food-fall, my dog’s ears perked up as it sought a temporary camping spot near the legs of the table. This did little to boost my confidence.
However, the task wasn’t nearly as difficult as I imagined, though I’m sure I exhibited absolutely no grace. I’d probably have been better off chucking the shrimp with a spear at long distance, but practice makes perfect. :)
Nice try there, Matt :)