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Calls of Duty

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At times I find myself honestly confused about how to eat the food. Do I knock the fish off the greens, then rake the greens into a pile? Am I supposed to eat the fish, greens and rice all in one bite?

I don't understand what was wrong with a simply laid plate of food. It may have been a bit boring, but at least it never left a diner baffled.

What was wrong with the simple plate of food was that it looked like a simple plate of food. Thus it did not express the artistic soul of the chef who supervised its creation.

Or something.

In any case, you may eat in whatever order you wish. The chef is not out front to see you knock over his masterpiece, and Miss Manners assures you that etiquette doesn't mind a bit.

Dear Miss Manners:

My father says that it's polite to pick up the phone (even if you know someone has already picked it up) to see if it's for you.

I think that only one person should answer the phone, and if it's for someone else in the house to say, "One moment please," and go get the person. What do you think?

That your father wants to know who is calling you.

Feeling incorrect? E-mail your etiquette questions to Miss Manners (who is distraught that she cannot reply personally) atMissManners@unitedmedia.comor mail to United Media, 200 Madison Ave., New York, N.Y. 10016.

2007Judith Martin

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