Knife and fork usage
May 6th 2010 | 12:32 pm
#1
Thread Starter
Taunton, Somerset to PA
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 196
From: Pittsburgh PA
Knife and fork usage
I remember when I first had a meal with the American in laws and they were all staring at me eating, my wife later told me its because of how I use my knife and fork and I mix things together on the fork.
I thought that everyone ate that way till I really watched how most people use cutlery over here.
I was then thinking of the scene in "Kate and Leopold" where they are dining together, made sense of hop they were watching him eat.
I thought that everyone ate that way till I really watched how most people use cutlery over here.
I was then thinking of the scene in "Kate and Leopold" where they are dining together, made sense of hop they were watching him eat.
May 6th 2010 | 12:37 pm
#2
Concierge
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 47,659
Re: Knife and fork usage
This difference rears it head at least once every six months.
Yup there are differences in the use of tableware. However, I have never seen many Americans mixing their foods on the same fork at one time and then shoveling it into their mouths. Now that seems like poor manners. Unless, of course, you are mixing your peas with your mashed potatoes
Yup there are differences in the use of tableware. However, I have never seen many Americans mixing their foods on the same fork at one time and then shoveling it into their mouths. Now that seems like poor manners. Unless, of course, you are mixing your peas with your mashed potatoes
May 6th 2010 | 12:43 pm
#3
Sleepless In Chicago
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,601
From: Chicago.
Re: Knife and fork usage
It's not poor manners at all.
If that was the case you may as well eat only one food item for dinner and not make a meal of it
Fish Chips Peas all on one fork.
Roast Beef, Mash, piece of Yorkshire pudding..
etc
I'm sure most Americans find this far too time consuming and prefer to just, shovel in one item at a time in rapid succession.
If that was the case you may as well eat only one food item for dinner and not make a meal of it
Fish Chips Peas all on one fork.
Roast Beef, Mash, piece of Yorkshire pudding..
etc
I'm sure most Americans find this far too time consuming and prefer to just, shovel in one item at a time in rapid succession.
May 6th 2010 | 1:04 pm
#4
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 8,106
From: Phoenix, AZ
Re: Knife and fork usage
Then there is the whole "swapping the knife" thing.
May 6th 2010 | 1:18 pm
#5
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 35,082
Re: Knife and fork usage
If we're going to re-run this one, may as well dig out some of the finer answers from before...
It dates back to the Revolutionary War. It was much easier to attack the bloody Redcoats by keeping our forks in the right hand, as most of our glorious freedom fighters were naturally right-handed.
Early attempts to drive out the British by using spoons and cloth napkins failed, and it was the forks that turned the tide. Keeping our forks in the right hand reminds us of our stupendous victory against the Limey invasion force.
On the Fourth of July, we savor our victory by eating our burgers and hot dogs with our hands. This is not done merely for convenience, but remains a potent symbol of our freedom to relax and enjoy our sacred barbeque and fireworks free of the need for the defensive utensils that we used to push out our oppressors.
God Bless America, and may He forever defend our right to eat in peace, and without implements of destruction. Amen.
Early attempts to drive out the British by using spoons and cloth napkins failed, and it was the forks that turned the tide. Keeping our forks in the right hand reminds us of our stupendous victory against the Limey invasion force.
On the Fourth of July, we savor our victory by eating our burgers and hot dogs with our hands. This is not done merely for convenience, but remains a potent symbol of our freedom to relax and enjoy our sacred barbeque and fireworks free of the need for the defensive utensils that we used to push out our oppressors.
God Bless America, and may He forever defend our right to eat in peace, and without implements of destruction. Amen.
May 6th 2010 | 1:53 pm
#6
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 22,105
Re: Knife and fork usage
May 6th 2010 | 2:22 pm
#7
Sleepless In Chicago
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,601
From: Chicago.
Re: Knife and fork usage
I've seen ghastly folk over here pop a half steak in their mouths and barely chew!
May 6th 2010 | 2:23 pm
#8
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,517
Re: Knife and fork usage
I didn't know you weren't meant to put different foods on your fork.
This is all very complicated.
This is all very complicated.
May 6th 2010 | 2:29 pm
#9
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,240
From: Toasty in Texas
Re: Knife and fork usage
I find shovelling all food in my mouth with my hands solves the problem!! 
And apparently, more than one food type on a fork inevitably leads to shovelling 
May 6th 2010 | 2:52 pm
#11
Sursum corda
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 38,860
From: Richmond Hill, GA USA
Re: Knife and fork usage
Pureeing solves many etiquette questions.
May 6th 2010 | 3:05 pm
#12
@matthewb76
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 21,886
From: Missouri
Re: Knife and fork usage
I thought the American usage was to stuff shit in a bun and forego the knife and fork altogether.
May 6th 2010 | 5:29 pm
#14
Peace onion
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,686
From: Denver
Re: Knife and fork usage
I love America and Americans, but dammit, I have to concede that when it comes to table manners, Americans are pigs. Generally. Shovel-and-scoop and/or awkwardly handle knife and saw backwards.
Seriously, they must have to train surgeons from scratch.
Seriously, they must have to train surgeons from scratch.
May 6th 2010 | 5:35 pm
#15
I'm off to find a spanner
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,867
From: Maine
Re: Knife and fork usage
We just eat soup in this household. Lives have nearly been lost over breakfast when the 2 families collide. Damn you IHOP.
