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..

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.

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 :D

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

When I had just moved to Canada I remember someone commenting that I was being "posh" using a knife and a fork, I think they thought I was showing off:rofl:

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.

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

I was at dinner at someone's house last week, and I got a fork with no knife, so I asked, very nicely I may add, if I could have a shovel, preferably a snow version. The looks I got! I didn't get one so I guess they only used a snow blower. I would have had difficulties eating with that.

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 :lol:

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

I try to avoid even using a fork.

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

Spaghetti doesn't need a knife :p 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!:rofl:), and decided it was how you were brought up .... so keep going with the home-training, and some might stick! :p

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! :p

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

Who the hell uses a knife to eat spaghetti? Bloody chav.

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

So common. I bet the same people buy ready-grated parmesan and don't use cloth napkins.

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

Precisely.

BTW was dthomas being as rude as I think he was over there-> a few minutes ago?

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

I do. errm. Innit.

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

:confused::confused:

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

The fork was introduced later in N. America than in Europe, so each place developed its own practice of using it.

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

Sorry Steve. Bad manners that, but Souv and I were on another thread a moment ago....

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

We were?

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

So I'm not going as crazy as I thought. :blink:

Thanks.;)

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

Just how crazy did you think you're going....?

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

Bloody mouth breathers. Stick to KD. It's not as complicated.

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

More so than I would like at the moment.

Just diagnosed with bloody shingles a couple of days ago and the pain is damned annoying.:mad::curse:

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

I'd say "oh shit". But perhaps not in this instance.

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

Me too. Rather a chav than a pretentious twat eh;)

I rather like the pre-grated cheese too:o

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

Accents. Get a grip.


Edit: Abject apologies... your post was from yesterday.

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

Who ever said getting older is not for wimps sure wasn't kidding. :ohmy::eek:;)

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

I think I do need to get a grip. I was certain I'd posted a reply to the effect that I'd posted yesterday. Can I find it? No.

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

Canada is like the US in that. If the meal does not include an item that requires a knife only a fork is used. Quite permissible and common and not an etiquette gaffe.

Most certainly there are advantages to using the fork in your left hand and the knife in your right and keeping all utensils in your hands at all times. You can teach your child both methods so that she/he fits in with the preferences of her peers and/or use whatever method is appropriate for the meal she is eating.

Why in heavens name would you need a knife to eat spaghetti? You would actually push the strands onto you upside down fork before eating it. I use what many call the European method of eating most meals, fork in the left and knife in the right, but I can't visualize why you would need a knife for a pasta dinner.

Here is it customary to serve a long stranded pasta dish with a fork and soup spoon.

Curious - do you eat your eggs over light with a knife and fork, or your pizza, or fried chicken or hamburger or hot dog?

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

...and here I thought I was the one going crazy. :p

You two have got me beat by a country mile. :rofl::rofl:

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

I have a question ..... how does everyone eat their peas, when using the knife and fork, UK style?

.... Answers on a postcard please. :p

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

I balance as many as I can on my fork (a bit of ketchup helps to make them stick ;). I can't be bothered to stab them with the prongs - I would probably lose loads as they shoot of the plate.

Does anyone apart from me still do the very unfunny 'oh look, I've pea'd on the floor' comment? :o

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

erm ..... no. :rofl:

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

Yes, and when carving a turkey or chicken I ask 'Are you a breast or a leg man?' and give my best Sid James laugh. Welcome to Carry-on-British-Expats!

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

I eat almost all solid food with both a knife and a fork.

Hamburgers that are unable to fit in my mouth due to the size of the patty and sheer quantity of food inside the two buns are eaten with a knife and fork.
Chicken wings are eaten with a knife & fork as I find it easier to peel every last scrap of meat off the wing with a knife.
If the pizza was boiling hot and I was hungry, I'd use a knife and not risk burning the roof of my mouth.

I don't know what eggs over light are but I probably would eat a hot dog with just my hands.

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

^^^What he said except for the chicken wings, if I were to eat them they would be finger food.

Eggs over easy I don't care for but I would dip my toast in the yolk and eat the remaining white with a knife and fork. :)

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

How does using a knife on hot pizza make it cold enough to eat without burning the roof of our mouth :confused: I have had several friends who eat pizza with a knife and fork but never for that reason. I use the K&F if the pizza is "loaded".

As for the eggs over light, I'm with you and for peas I use the fork in my right hand to scoop them up.

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

I think you tend to cut the pizza into a smaller piece which may cool a little on it's way to the mouth. I don't know it just seems to work better for me, once the pizza has cooled a little then it's deffo finger (hand) food.:thumbsup:

I keep the fork in my left hand to scoop the peas but then I am left handed so maybe that's why.

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

Riveting thread this isn't it?
:sad_smile:

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

I thought rivets were for airplanes or should I say aeroplanes.:p:rofl:

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

I think it's a fear thing. I know that on more that one occasion, upon biting into a hot pizza all the cheese has detached and slapped against my chin leaving an embarassing red mark. Like napalm but not.

Re: Using both a knife & fork when eating
 

What I never figured out was why all the Brits I was exposed to at school (everyone but me basically) held their forks upside down? Surely it's significantly easier to use your fork as a scoop then trying to keep food on a convex surface, not to mention how on earth do you eat off it without stabbing your tongue?

After several years of people very rudely trying to convince me to turn my fork around I just stopped eating lunch altogether. That'll teach 'em ;)