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French Expat in India Says Eating With Hands Turned Meals Into a Multisensory Experience

Her X post detailing the shift drew wide attention for contrasting French cutlery norms with everyday Indian dining.

Overview

  • Julia Chaigneau, a French national living in India for about two years, posted on Sept. 14 about relearning to eat with her hands.
  • She said the experience moved from awkward to freeing, letting her feel heat before tasting, sense textures, mix flavors and waste less food.
  • Chaigneau contrasted the practice with her French upbringing where eating with hands was deemed rude, noting a friend reintroduced her to it.
  • Hindustan Times reported the post drew more than 37,000 views along with lively user reactions on X.
  • She added that the shift informs her design work by emphasizing non-visual senses, and outlets noted she recently shared trying Onam Sadhya for the first time.