A french fry is much easier to eat than a lobster, and for many other foods it is simply a fact that some are easier to eat than others. Some, like the aforementioned lobster, are simply difficult to get into. Others are difficult to maneuver into your mouth gracefully (giant burritos, salads with huge lettuce leaves ) and still others are messy to the point where many diners simply avoid them (ribs) unless they have a very high comfort level with their dining partners.

Chow took on the task of identifying some of these foods are offering readers some tips on how to eat them without the food getting the upper hand. Their suggestions include angling tacos over a plate and pinching the edges of the tortilla together to prevent/direct drips, aiming to eat sushi in two neat bites, spear peas with a fork instead of scooping them and deboning a fish using a banana leaf (or a fork).

I would also suggest a few more food-fighting tips to get your through dinner. First, keep a napkin handy to deal with messes and try to eat sloppy foods either very slowly or very fast to minimize the chances of contact with clothing. When possible, cut your food into bite-sized pieces, even if you think that the piece on your plate will probably fit into your mouth. Finally, try to get you dinner companion to order the same type of food that you did, so that in the event you get messy or eat awkwardly, you won't be the only one.

In the Philippines, there is a restaurant that allows you to vent your frustrations by throwing plates and televisions at a stress relief wall. In Nanjing, China, there is a bar than lets you vent your frustrations by throwing punches at the staff. The Rising Sun Anger Release bar is a concept that the owner, Wu Gong, said was inspired by his experiences as a migrant worker. There was no place for him to vent any anger or frustrations, but his clients won't face the same problems.

The bar employs 20 specially trained men who are outfitted with protective gear. Customers can ask them to dress up as the person they'd like to attack, whether it's a teacher, ex-boyfriend or an employer. Gong says that most of his customers are women who work in the service industry and nearby bars.

If the idea of hitting a stranger or throwing a glass doesn't sound constructive, Wong also offers the services of psychology students from local universities to customers who just want to talk.

Some of you may recall earlier posts about the possible health benefits of curry, specifically curcumin, a polyphenol found in turmeric. There have been studies suggesting that curcumin may help fight cancer and a host of other ailments. The New Scientist and the Daily Mail have recently reported on a new study linking the antioxidants in turmeric to healthy cognitive function in a group of over 1,000 elderly Asians. The study, from researchers at the National University of Singapore, found that curcumin may lower the build up of amyloid plaque and inflammation associated with Alzheimer's. Researchers call the evidence tentative in the study's abstract, saying that further investigation is required.