{"product_id":"rituals-of-dinner-the-origins-evolution-eccentricities-and-meaning-o-c","title":"OP: The Rituals of Dinner","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGrove Weidenfeld, New York, 1991. Hardcover. Fine. Signed second printing.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat are appropriate table manners throughout the world? Where do the rules around cutlery come from? Why are there so many taboos related to food? Margaret Visser (b. 1940) addresses these questions and then some in \u003cem\u003eThe Rituals of Dinner\u003c\/em\u003e, taking a sociological approach to the everyday act of eating. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe idiosyncrasies and customs which we find ourselves performing—and it is a performance—at mealtime often have historical precedent, giving every act layers of meaning. Thoroughly researched and wittily written, Visser engages her audience in rethinking the way we commune, dine, and behave. Beyond matters of cleanliness and sanitation, we see superstition, primal instincts, and power dynamics at play in the most mundane of “polite” behaviors. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGiven the breadth of research, the text would benefit from footnotes, simply because it inspires further questions in even the most casual reader. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOurs is a Fine second printing in a Near Fine, price-clipped jacket, \u003cstrong\u003esigned\u003c\/strong\u003e by Margaret Visser to the title page. Also available in \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.kitchenartsandletters.com\/products\/the-rituals-of-dinner-the-origins-evolution-eccentricities-and-meaning-of-table-manners-new-introduction\"\u003epaperback\u003c\/a\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"KNOP","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39250543935621,"sku":"Margaret Visser","price":55.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0297\/5046\/0549\/files\/visser_ritualsofdinner.jpg?v=1780761003","url":"https:\/\/www.kitchenartsandletters.com\/products\/rituals-of-dinner-the-origins-evolution-eccentricities-and-meaning-o-c","provider":"Kitchen Arts \u0026 Letters","version":"1.0","type":"link"}