Using both a knife & fork when eating
May 30th 2008, 2:25 pm
#1
Tea Drinker
Thread Starter
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Kamloops, BC
Posts: 5,387
Using both a knife & fork when eating
Is it just me or have you noticed that the majority of people in this country only seem to use a fork when eating a sit down meal?
The fork is always in their right hand and they sometimes use the side of it to cut things with as well.
Only reason I'm asking is because my 5yr old has adopted this habit and I'm trying to explain to her the benefits of using both a knife and fork.
We were invited to dinner a few months ago and were handed a plate of spaghetti Bolognese with only a fork?? My Wife and I looked at each other and were both too embarrassed to ask for a knife as no one else was using one.
I struggle without a knife..
The fork is always in their right hand and they sometimes use the side of it to cut things with as well.
Only reason I'm asking is because my 5yr old has adopted this habit and I'm trying to explain to her the benefits of using both a knife and fork.
We were invited to dinner a few months ago and were handed a plate of spaghetti Bolognese with only a fork?? My Wife and I looked at each other and were both too embarrassed to ask for a knife as no one else was using one.
I struggle without a knife..
May 30th 2008, 2:28 pm
#2
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,898
Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
I guess it depends on what your eating.
No need for a knife with spaghetti. Or soup.
A steak though - you'll need a knife. Even if you were born here.
No need for a knife with spaghetti. Or soup.
A steak though - you'll need a knife. Even if you were born here.
May 30th 2008, 2:29 pm
#3
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Sep 2004
Location: Windsor, ON; Chicago, IL
Posts: 6,713
Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
I'm in heaven, I was always getting told off for eating and cutting things with my fork edge. Love it!
I too had knifeless spaghetti last night. Only my Dad who's visiting complained and asked for...a spoon in addition
I too had knifeless spaghetti last night. Only my Dad who's visiting complained and asked for...a spoon in addition
May 30th 2008, 2:33 pm
#4
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: NI (back from Toronto)
Posts: 3,409
Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
Is it just me or have you noticed that the majority of people in this country only seem to use a fork when eating a sit down meal?
The fork is always in their right hand and they sometimes use the side of it to cut things with as well.
Only reason I'm asking is because my 5yr old has adopted this habit and I'm trying to explain to her the benefits of using both a knife and fork.
We were invited to dinner a few months ago and were handed a plate of spaghetti Bolognese with only a fork?? My Wife and I looked at each other and were both too embarrassed to ask for a knife as no one else was using one.
I struggle without a knife..
The fork is always in their right hand and they sometimes use the side of it to cut things with as well.
Only reason I'm asking is because my 5yr old has adopted this habit and I'm trying to explain to her the benefits of using both a knife and fork.
We were invited to dinner a few months ago and were handed a plate of spaghetti Bolognese with only a fork?? My Wife and I looked at each other and were both too embarrassed to ask for a knife as no one else was using one.
I struggle without a knife..
May 30th 2008, 2:33 pm
#5
Moderαtor Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Upstate South Carolina
Posts: 30,768
Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
Its a "normal for north america" thing...I wouldnt stress over it...no one is going to starve as a result, so just do what you are comfortable with.
I wouldn't shrink from asking for a knife or spoon for spaghetti if you want one...think of it as an attempt to civilise the colonials, but dont worry if it doesn't work, there is only so much you can do.
I wouldn't shrink from asking for a knife or spoon for spaghetti if you want one...think of it as an attempt to civilise the colonials, but dont worry if it doesn't work, there is only so much you can do.
Last edited by iaink; May 30th 2008 at 3:05 pm.
May 30th 2008, 2:43 pm
#6
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,842
Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
Is it just me or have you noticed that the majority of people in this country only seem to use a fork when eating a sit down meal?
The fork is always in their right hand and they sometimes use the side of it to cut things with as well.
Only reason I'm asking is because my 5yr old has adopted this habit and I'm trying to explain to her the benefits of using both a knife and fork.
We were invited to dinner a few months ago and were handed a plate of spaghetti Bolognese with only a fork?? My Wife and I looked at each other and were both too embarrassed to ask for a knife as no one else was using one.
I struggle without a knife..
The fork is always in their right hand and they sometimes use the side of it to cut things with as well.
Only reason I'm asking is because my 5yr old has adopted this habit and I'm trying to explain to her the benefits of using both a knife and fork.
We were invited to dinner a few months ago and were handed a plate of spaghetti Bolognese with only a fork?? My Wife and I looked at each other and were both too embarrassed to ask for a knife as no one else was using one.
I struggle without a knife..
May 30th 2008, 2:52 pm
#7
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Cochrane, Alberta
Posts: 7,861
Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
My teeth are grating when the kid's friends come for dinner/supper/tea (whatever you want to call it). I have never heard such a noisy, slurping, chomping, open-mouthed bunch of eaters. It does my head in. I no longer sit down with the kid's and their friends. Hubby and I eat later !!
My not-so-subtle comments have gone over their heads - it's not my place, is it?
Oh, and the knife I put out is rarely used too
My not-so-subtle comments have gone over their heads - it's not my place, is it?
Oh, and the knife I put out is rarely used too
May 30th 2008, 3:08 pm
#9
little snowy owl
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,921
Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
Spaghetti doesn't need a knife 
Even Italians will serve it with a spoon possibly though, as it helps to have something to "twirl" against, and to scoop up that lovely sauce.
I was at a Christmas meal with my singing buddies (mostly Canadians, and I remarked that some were using their knives and forks as I did, some were using them, but reversed left and right (they were not left-handed), and some would pick up their knives to cut then lay them down and eat with the fork in the right hand.
We talked about it for a while (until I'd made everyone self-concious!), and decided it was how you were brought up .... so keep going with the home-training, and some might stick!
My grandad lost his left arm in the first world war, and he would just use a fork. He was ace at cutting just about anything with the side of his fork, and had been known to send a steak back because it was too tough!
Even Italians will serve it with a spoon possibly though, as it helps to have something to "twirl" against, and to scoop up that lovely sauce.I was at a Christmas meal with my singing buddies (mostly Canadians, and I remarked that some were using their knives and forks as I did, some were using them, but reversed left and right (they were not left-handed), and some would pick up their knives to cut then lay them down and eat with the fork in the right hand.
We talked about it for a while (until I'd made everyone self-concious!
), and decided it was how you were brought up .... so keep going with the home-training, and some might stick! My grandad lost his left arm in the first world war, and he would just use a fork. He was ace at cutting just about anything with the side of his fork, and had been known to send a steak back because it was too tough!
May 30th 2008, 3:31 pm
#10
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
Originally Posted by Danny B;
We were invited to dinner a few months ago and were handed a plate of spaghetti Bolognese with only a fork?? My Wife and I looked at each other and were both too embarrassed to ask for a knife as no one else was using one.
Who the hell uses a knife to eat spaghetti? Bloody chav.
May 30th 2008, 3:44 pm
#12
Born again atheist
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: Europe (to be specified).
Posts: 30,259
Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
Originally Posted by Souvenir;
So common. I bet the same people buy ready-grated parmesan and don't use cloth napkins.
BTW was dthomas being as rude as I think he was over there-> a few minutes ago?
May 30th 2008, 3:45 pm
#13
Slightly Canadian
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: St. John's, Newfoundland
Posts: 10,129
May 30th 2008, 3:47 pm
#15
Queen of my house
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Ohio
Posts: 5,043
Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
Is it just me or have you noticed that the majority of people in this country only seem to use a fork when eating a sit down meal?
The fork is always in their right hand and they sometimes use the side of it to cut things with as well.
Only reason I'm asking is because my 5yr old has adopted this habit and I'm trying to explain to her the benefits of using both a knife and fork.
We were invited to dinner a few months ago and were handed a plate of spaghetti Bolognese with only a fork?? My Wife and I looked at each other and were both too embarrassed to ask for a knife as no one else was using one.
I struggle without a knife..
The fork is always in their right hand and they sometimes use the side of it to cut things with as well.
Only reason I'm asking is because my 5yr old has adopted this habit and I'm trying to explain to her the benefits of using both a knife and fork.
We were invited to dinner a few months ago and were handed a plate of spaghetti Bolognese with only a fork?? My Wife and I looked at each other and were both too embarrassed to ask for a knife as no one else was using one.
I struggle without a knife..
