Miss Manners: What’s the proper etiquette for placing buffet tongs back down?
A left-handed person questions whether there’s proper etiquette for how buffet tongs should be positioned after use, noting they often have to turn them around.
Liam Carter 
Ever find yourself in a buffet line performing an awkward shuffle just to grab the tongs? One reader recently reached out to 205focus.com with a burning etiquette question regarding the proper placement of serving utensils.
The Left-Handed Dilemma
As a left-handed individual, the reader noted that buffet tongs are almost exclusively positioned for right-handed users. Having to constantly rotate the handles is a minor but recurring nuisance. The question posed to Miss Manners was simple: Is there a formal etiquette protocol for how these tools should be left for the next person in line?
The Verdict on Buffet Etiquette
Miss Manners was quick to point out that there is no grand conspiracy against lefties. She noted that while right-handed and left-handed guests might find the utensil orientation mildly inconvenient, the struggle is statistically balanced. Because left-handers make up about 10% to 15% of the population, they have a fair probability of following another left-handed diner who may have left the tongs in a more favorable position.
Ultimately, her advice is practical: just ensure you aren't splashing the contents of your ladle into the bouillabaisse while you handle them.
Have your own etiquette queries? Send them to Miss Manners at missmanners.com, via email at dearmissmanners@gmail.com, or by mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.
