pb

I might get blasted for this response buy some but please, look at Tony Hughes response. (1st response).<BR><BR>I think the question should have been "DO AMERICANS HOLD THEIR FORK DIFFERENT FROM THE REST OF THE FORK HOLDING WORLD??" And the answer is........YES, they do.<BR>imho.

xxx

Actually, there are all sorts of things that Americans do somewhat differently than the rest of the world. Not better or worse, just different.

Nigel Doran

I was once in Charleston in a fairly posh restaurant. A couple consisting of middle-aged woman and man in his early twenties were eating with a knife and fork, but both were holding both their pieces of cutlery with tight, gripped fists. They were definitely north American. I have to say their etiquette was really out of keeping with the locale. It actually put me off my food as they were eating like five year olds. I have seen this kind of knife-and-fork holding in other parts of the U S too.

Spider

In my own humble Yank based opinion, I think the American way is more civilized. It forces you to eat more slowly, and it doesn't appear so savage. <BR><BR>After watching a few episodes of Two Fat Ladies, and observing their guests manner of eating, I was encouraged to see that there's at least one thing that Americans have more class at. <BR><BR><BR>

Pauline

Nigel,<BR><BR>Message: <BR>"""I was once in Charleston in a fairly posh restaurant. A couple consisting of middle-aged woman and man in his early twenties were eating with a knife and fork, but both were holding both their pieces of cutlery with tight, gripped fists. They were definitely north American. I have to say their etiquette was really out of keeping with the locale. <BR>It actually put me off my food as they were eating like five year olds. <BR>I have seen this kind of knife-and-fork holding in other parts of the U S too.""""""<BR><BR>I don't understand.....What are you actually trying to say to the rest of the fodors.com readers???????<BR><BR>

Nigel Doran

I was simply adding an observation about how different people use their knives and forks. I point it out as it made an impression. This impression was compounded when I saw others eating in a similar style. The fact that I saw it several times was surprising, so therefore noteworthy. Just because it is not complimentary does not mean that I cannot post it.

Nigel Doran

I was simply adding an observation about how different people use their knives and forks. I point it out as it made an impression. This impression was compounded when I saw others eating in a similar style. The fact that I saw it several times was surprising, so therefore noteworthy. Just because it is not complimentary does not mean that I cannot post it.

Nigel Doran

I was simply adding an observation about how different people use their knives and forks. I point it out as it made an impression. This impression was compounded when I saw others eating in a similar style. The fact that I saw it several times was surprising, so therefore noteworthy. Just because it is not complimentary does not mean that I cannot post it.

Nigel Doran

I was simply adding an observation about how different people use their knives and forks. I point it out as it made an impression. This impression was compounded when I saw others eating in a similar style. The fact that I saw it several times was surprising, so therefore noteworthy. Just because it is not complimentary does not mean that I cannot post it.

do

&gt;In my own humble Yank based opinion, I &gt;think the American way is more &gt;civilized. It forces you to eat more &gt;slowly<BR><BR>More slowly? Even authors like Dickens wrote that Americans eat so quickly that they practically inhale their food. Many times I have been in a restaurant when an American party has come in after me. They have finished their meal, paid and departed before I have finished my first course.

Capo

I just got to thinking...what is the French/Italian/German/etc. term for a "fork in the road?"

Ann

Any person without a physical disability can eat a hamburger without making a mess of themselves. Hamburgers and sandwiches and subs (heros, etc.) were designed to be eaten with your hands, not a knife and fork.