How do you tell an officemate to use the serving spoon during office lunch meetings?

Question

Actually, he's a boss from another department. That makes it kinda difficult for us coz we can't just casually remind him of his manners, can we? I'm thinking of sending him a personal note (an anonymous one won't do coz we're in a fairly small Co. & I'm sure he'll know it's me anyway) but would that be proper?

Answer 1

That's a tricky situation.  For me, the best way to handle the problem is not just address it to that non-serving-spoon-using person, but suggest it to everybody.  Try not to make it seem that you're targetting just him.  

Here are a few subtle tricks to try each of which you can use alone or in combination:

Get a large serving spoon for the dish so that everyone knows it's a serving spoon.  Have smaller spoons and forks for everyone else.  This way everyone would be encouraged to use the serving spoon (almost everyone likes bigger servings).  Or,

Get a card (the one that's slim like the size of a greeting card where you put monetary gifts in) or make one yourself using stock paper, paper from a folder, cardboard, etc., and then print out the note, "Please use serving spoon / serving fork." (printed, not handwritten, to make it look official) on a piece of paper, and stick it on one side of the card (or better yet, print it on the card).  Set the card on top of the table when your food arrives.  If the lunch is catered, ask the caterer to place the card for you.  This method makes the guy not feel like he's the only one being targetted.  And who knows, maybe someone else in the office has the same bad manners that you don't know of.  Or,

If you feel like writing / emailing, don't just send the message to that one person.  Send it to everyone telling them of sanitary / medical problems that could come from not using the serving spoon.  (This is actually fairly common knowledge, but sometimes people just get lazy to use the serving spoon.  Remind them of the need.)  Write subtly and in general.  Make it seem like you're concerned for everyone's health.

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Answer 2

TELL HER...USE THE SERVING SPOON STUPID!

THE SPOON IS NOT FOR DECORATION!

Answer 3

ask him/her to get a serving spoon for you...act as if the serving spoon is out of your reach...then tell him/her that it's for the "spaghetti" or whatever...

Answer 4

take time to handle the serving spoon,or frequently get small amount of food so that he/she will notice it;) so  your office mate would be aware that he/she also had to use the serving spoon

Answer 5

just ask them to use the serving spoon...and if they don't really understand the concept of proper etiqutte, just tell them the reason most people use a serving spoon

im sorry...but how are you not gonna know to use a serving spoon!

Answer 6

Say, "Excuse me, could you use the spoon provided please?"