膳ぜん越ごし

noun

rudely reaching across one's tray with chopsticks

A breach of Japanese dining etiquette: stretching one's chopsticks over the personal serving tray (膳) to grab food placed behind it, instead of lifting the food closer first. Often cited as a table-manner taboo.

• 膳ぜん越ごしは和わ食しょくのマナー違い反はんとされている。

  Reaching across one's tray is considered a breach of Japanese dining etiquette.

• 子こどもに「膳ぜん越ごしをしてはいけません」と教おしえた。

  I taught my child, 'You must not reach across your tray with your chopsticks.'