Re: Knife and fork usage
 

I'm very sorry to say this, and please dont anyone throw anything at me...

Ive been in country 13 years and have 10 and 8 year olds...and..they rarely use their knives, even though they set the table that way..

And to make it worse, I rarely use mine...except when I'm around my mum:))

What I have done though, excluding the knife use, is to instill good table manners in them, just as I was raised. And for the most part they both follow dad's lead and dont eat like little piglets. This does entail me having to threaten them with putting a trough out on the floor if they want to act like little piglets...they havent taken me up on that offer yet.

I heartily agree with the comments about the lack of table manners in general over here...still bugs me.

Re: Knife and fork usage
 

Moving on from the knife and fork, but still related to eating out.

Why can't anyone order what is on the menu? "I want the beef sandwich please on rye please, but without the beef, make it chicken, and I don't want rye I want sourdough, and no mustard, but mayonnaise....."

We were out last night and the party of 7 next to us sent the waitress to the kitchen 3 times to see if they could do this that and the other. If you don't like the menu go somewhere else:banghead:

Re: Knife and fork usage
 

If a restaurant is worth its salt it will do its best to accommodate any request, a simple no is all it takes if they can't do it.

My wife would never question a menu before meeting me and would always feel restricted because she's a vegetarian, but I will always ask the wait staff if they can modify something that sounds nice so she can eat it!

If they say no then that's fair enough, it never hurts to ask.

But I admit there are some times when wait staff get stupid requests, such as your example but also some people have very specific dietary requirements which are quite serious and warrant the running back and forth to the kitchen!

Just remember to tip appropriately!

Re: Knife and fork usage
 

well its the nation of choice, or for some of us the tyranny of choice

Re: Knife and fork usage
 

I presume you have all seen the incredible scene with Jack Nicholson ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wtfNE4z6a8
absolute classic!

Re: Knife and fork usage
 

I always got a kick out of this (although to be fair, if I was the waitress, not so much...)

Re: Knife and fork usage
 

Heh I eat like a true champion Yorkshireman, etiquette goes out the window if someone puts food in front of me.

Re: Knife and fork usage
 

How could we forget?

Re: Knife and fork usage
 

Tonight I went to a great seafood restaurant in Lafayette, CA and ordered Fresh Maine Lobster ... it was truly outstanding, and I got to grapple with my meal big-time - lobster claw in one hand, cracking tool in the other. Fun and delicious! This was by far the best lobster I've ever ordered. I was wondering what the 'etiquette' was for this!

Re: Knife and fork usage
 

And tonight, had Lamb chops ... picking up the chop at the end. There is nothing more delicious than gnawing at that last bit of lamb on the bone!

Re: Knife and fork usage
 

Nice one Oli, I hear you, mums from yorkshire, for some reason she decided to have me where I can play cricket for Lancashire!! All good though:)

Re: Knife and fork usage
 

? that could be yorkshire