Why don't many people know how to hold their fork and knife?
#1
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Why don't many people know how to hold their fork and knife?
I don't understand why many people have to switch hands when cutting their food? You never see this in other countries and many Americans don't seem to know how to hold their fork or knife. What's the problem with keeping the fork in the left hand if a knife is involved in the meal?
I have been to many restaurants where well-dressed people look like they're butchering a cow as they cut food and then keep on switching the utensils between hands.
How do you hold your fork and knife?
I have been to many restaurants where well-dressed people look like they're butchering a cow as they cut food and then keep on switching the utensils between hands.
How do you hold your fork and knife?
#2
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Why is the only correct way your way? Americans hold their fork in their right hand and then switch to the left while cutting their meat. And then switch back. Why do you perceive this as incorrect? Because it's different from the way you do it? I do object to holding either the fork or the knife with a fist. Maybe it's because we don't boil our meat to death.
BTW Mike, I'd like to see that trick.
BTW Mike, I'd like to see that trick.
#6
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I don't know where Miz manners went to finishing school, or if she went to finishing school, but if it was in the U.S., she would know that the proper AMERICAN technique is to switch. This is more difficult, but is considered perfectly acceptable.
Europeans eat with the fork in the left hand. This method does make quite a bit more sense, but then most Americans don't need any help in eating more efficiently.
Europeans eat with the fork in the left hand. This method does make quite a bit more sense, but then most Americans don't need any help in eating more efficiently.
#7
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Here's an excerpt from manners book:
There are two ways to use a knife and fork to cut and eat your food. They are the American style and the European or Continental style. Either style is considered appropriate. In the American style, one cuts the food by holding the knife in the right hand and the fork in the left hand with the fork tines piercing the food to secure it on the plate. Cut a few bite-size pieces of food, then lay your knife across the top edge of your plate with the sharp edge of the blade facing in. Change your fork from your left to your right hand to eat, fork tines facing up. (If you are left-handed, keep your fork in your left hand, tines facing up.) The European or Continental style is the same as the American style in that you cut your meat by holding your knife in your right hand while securing your food with your fork in your left hand. The difference is your fork remains in your left hand, tines facing down, and the knife in your right hand. Simply eat the cut pieces of food by picking them up with your fork still in your left hand.
There are two ways to use a knife and fork to cut and eat your food. They are the American style and the European or Continental style. Either style is considered appropriate. In the American style, one cuts the food by holding the knife in the right hand and the fork in the left hand with the fork tines piercing the food to secure it on the plate. Cut a few bite-size pieces of food, then lay your knife across the top edge of your plate with the sharp edge of the blade facing in. Change your fork from your left to your right hand to eat, fork tines facing up. (If you are left-handed, keep your fork in your left hand, tines facing up.) The European or Continental style is the same as the American style in that you cut your meat by holding your knife in your right hand while securing your food with your fork in your left hand. The difference is your fork remains in your left hand, tines facing down, and the knife in your right hand. Simply eat the cut pieces of food by picking them up with your fork still in your left hand.
#8
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American style is perfectly correct for Americans. Each country has different customs- China you don't use knives at all, it's okay to slurp noodles in japan, in India you can correctly use your fingers and bread to eat. The proper ettiquitte is what is acceptable in your region/circle of aquaintances. Don't be such snobs.
#9
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I WISH the only "problem" with American manners were switching hands when cutting food. Frankly, there's some reason behind the etiquette if you assume everyone is right-handed (they aren't but that's another thread), since it has you using your right hand to cut and then your right hand to use the fork -- presumably, you are too clumsy with your left hand to work a knife and a fork deftly.
HOWEVER: I'm happy to let people keep the fork in their right hand and cut with their left if they promise not to send the chicken across the table into my lap while doing so. In the meantime, PLEASE learn not to hold the fork with fist (as "x" noted) and to scoop up the food with the tines head-on, not the side of the fork. Nothing makes you look more like an iggerant field hand than scraping a plate with your four fingers wrapped around the forkhandle moving the side of the fork around as if it were plow.
HOWEVER: I'm happy to let people keep the fork in their right hand and cut with their left if they promise not to send the chicken across the table into my lap while doing so. In the meantime, PLEASE learn not to hold the fork with fist (as "x" noted) and to scoop up the food with the tines head-on, not the side of the fork. Nothing makes you look more like an iggerant field hand than scraping a plate with your four fingers wrapped around the forkhandle moving the side of the fork around as if it were plow.
#15
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Miss Manners says you eat fried chicken with a knife and fork if there's a white table cloth and candles -- but wants to know who serves fried chicken on a white table cloth and candles. If you are at a casual table, you can use a knife and fork for the breast or thigh but you can pick up the drumstick. If you are at a picnic, use your fingers.
#16
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Believe it or not, I went to a wedding where fried chicken was served on a white tablecloth and candles.
I ate it with a fork and knife while others ate with their hands in gowns and tuxedoes.
By the way, I don't switch hands even though I'm right handed.
I ate it with a fork and knife while others ate with their hands in gowns and tuxedoes.
By the way, I don't switch hands even though I'm right handed.