Dining Out by Gelett Burgess (1895)
Dining Out is a humorous poem written by Gelett Burgess that pokes fun at the pretentiousness of fine dining culture. The poem follows a group of diners who are trying to impress each other with their knowledge of French cuisine and wine, but end up making fools of themselves in the process. It is a satirical commentary on the social norms surrounding high-end restaurants and the people who frequent them.
By Gelett Burgess · First published 1895 · Genre: Satire, Social Commentary, Humor · 1,516 words
First lines
Why human beings are so fond of eating together and making a ceremonial of the business it is hard to say. Man is almost the only animal who prefers to consume his food in company with his kind, for even sheep and cattle wander apart as they graze, seeking private delicacies. Early in the morning, it is true, most cultivated persons are savages, preferring to breakfast in seclusion and _dishabille_; lunch time finds them in a slightly barbarous state, and they tolerate company; but by evening we all become gregarious and social, and we resent the absence of an expected companion at the table as of a course omitted.
What this Textopian page supports
Dining Out is listed on Textopian as a short story by Gelett Burgess, dated 1895 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Gelett Burgess
- Date: 1895 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Satire, Social Commentary, Humor, Essay, Philosophy
- Length: 1,516 words
- Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Dining Out by Gelett Burgess
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Dining Out?
- How does this short story by Gelett Burgess fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Satire first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- At Table by Gelett Burgess
- A Cab Ride Across Country by G. K. Chesterton
- Chatauquaed by Rudyard Kipling
- The Philosophy Of Sight Seeing by G. K. Chesterton
- Post Prandial Philosophy by Grant Allen
- London by G. K. Chesterton
Genres
- Satire — The text uses humor and irony to critique social customs and dining etiquette.
- Social Commentary — The narrative explores human behavior and societal norms related to dining and social gatherings.
- Humor — The writing style is light-hearted and employs comedic elements to entertain the reader.
- Essay — The work is structured as a reflective and analytical piece on the topic of dining.
Tags
food · restaurants · dining · cuisine · gastronomy · social · culture · humor · experience · lifestyle · reviews · entertainment