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Show OLD DINNER CUSTOMS IN SWEDEN The Swedes have a queer way of locomotion at their meals. They often flit about like flies, from one table to another, and sometimes seem to turn topsy turvy when they order a repast. It is no rare thing to see them begin with cheese and biscuit, next proceed to ham and salad, with a slice of meat to follow, and then suddenly start up in the middle of their dinner to swallow, while they walk about, a plateful of pea soup. A habit which they have of beginning each repast with what they call a "smorgos," not merely leads to much untidiness at meal time, but makes them seem contented to live on bits and scraps. The smorgos consists of little dishes, such as slices of smoked reindeer and caviar, and sardines, with pickles, cheese, and other whets provocative of thirst. These are fished out with a fork of general utility, and laid on thumb pieces of rye cake, thickly smeared with butter, which serve by way of plate. Then they are bitten into, regardless of the fragments which may fall on other dainties (for your true smorgos eater seldom sits to his repast) and they are finally washed down with a glass or two of spirits which stand handy by their side. Such a prelude to a meal is not merely uncleanly, but must vitiate the palate, and injure the digestion. Indeed I feel convinced that, were the smorgasbord abolished, not only would the cookery in Sweden soon improve, but very many of the people would be gradually weaned from their weakness for strong drink. |