fingerbowls
Table water dishes
Fingerbowls are small bowls of water, often with a lemon slice or flower petal floating in them, set at each place during formal meals for diners to rinse their fingers between courses.
They appear most often at meals involving foods eaten by hand—shellfish, artichokes, or ribs.
The practice is old-fashioned but persists at formal dinners and upscale restaurants.
Wash without scrubbing
- waterClear essential liquid
- lemonAcidic yellow citrus
- rose waterDistilled flower essence
- citrusAcidic fruits with segments
refresh · dip · warm · scented · petals · palate cleanser · intermezzo · delicate
Rules of polite conduct
- formalFollowing strict protocol
- banquetFormal celebratory meal
- coursePlanned path forward
- tableHorizontal furniture surface
linen · napkin · silverware · crystal · porcelain · china · guest · hosting
rinse
Wash without scrubbing
- waterClear essential liquid
- lemonAcidic yellow citrus
- rose waterDistilled flower essence
citrus · refresh · dip · warm · scented · petals · palate cleanser · intermezzo · delicate · dainty
etiquette
Rules of polite conduct
table · linen · napkin · silverware · crystal · porcelain · china · guest · hosting · service
Victorian
Of a prim era
- EdwardianOf early twentieth-century Britain
- heirloomInherited family treasure
- porcelainTranslucent fired clay
silver · crystal · collectible · vintage · provenance · auction · patina · ornate · engraved · decorative
ritual
Ceremonial set of actions
- traditionCustom passed through generations
- formalityStrict observance of convention
- protocolPrescribed conduct rules
pageantry · observance · custom · decorum · Passover · Seder · lave · ablution · symbolic · blessing
fingerbowlswet wipes
Pre-soaked disposable cloths
paper napkins · napkins · hand sanitizer · moist towelettes · shirtsleeves