DEAR MISS MANNERS: Now that I’m widowed, I am eating breakfast out with friends more frequently. Eggs often need a little salt, but not always, and restaurant saltshakers often deposit too much at once.

What I prefer is to taste the food first, and then if salt is needed, I sprinkle some into one hand. I then pinch some with my other hand, distributing as needed. A “high sprinkle” gives the widest distribution. If there is extra salt left in my hand, I dump it in a little mound away from the food.

At least one companion has seemed strangely fascinated by my salt habits.

I have tried to start with a mound of salt and dip each bite into that, but of course this is usually too much salt, too localized. Am I within civilized bounds to use my clean, dry hands?

GENTLE READER: While this prac

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