Emily Post on Seeds and More

Remove all the seeds that you can with the fruit knife and fork, before lifting a piece to the mouth, and any seeds left in the fruit are removed between thumb and finger, or dropped into the cupped hand. They are in either case dried as completely as possible with tongue and between lips. 

My dear Mrs. Post: 

(1) How does one remove watermelon seeds from the mouth at table? 

(2) A friend told me that tablespoons are not the real serving spoons. I have always used them as such, which must be wrong. 

(3) is it ever all right to eat peas with a spoon, in ease, or must they be juggled with a fork? 

(4) Are little side dishes always taboo? 

(5) In a restaurant, when foods are sometimes served in separate dishes, is it correct to eat them directly from the serving dish or should all food be put from there over on the dinner plate?

Answer: 

(1) Remove all that you can with the fruit knife and fork, before lifting a piece to the mouth, and any seeds left in the fruit are removed between thumb and finger, or dropped into the cupped hand. They are in either case dried as completely as possible with tongue and between lips. 

(2) There are slightly larger spoons used for serving, but tablespoons answer perfectly. 

(3) Spoon absolutely taboo. Mash them slightly with the fork, if you must. But I can't see that there is any difficulty ever. 

(4) Correctly, yes. 

(5) You should put them on your plate, but there is no rule because conventionally side dishes are not used. - by Emily Post.-WNU Service, 1934

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