There's a tip thead as well

I don't think I've seen a more vulgar thread than this anywhere else. Anyone with a modicum of class and social nous knows Debrett's Guide provides the rationale to the minutiae of English material-culture table etiquette.

As for eating with your hands? Why not go the full monty and don a monkey suit and dine with the chimps at their daily tea party?

Oafs.

pffft, you're about 7 pages too late for that one. And the code word is 'savages'.

Here's a related item. In the US people will typically rest their hand in their lap if it's not using a knife or fork during a meal. That is considered polite.

In Europe I believe I learned that both hands were to be seen at all times. (Presumably because they would be engaged in knife/fork action at all times?? that part was left out.)

So I've since been confused and have rested my wrists on the table when they're not in use. (Not elbows, which are a definite no no.)

Why does it have to be so hard?

I will say a good friend of mine who is Vietnamese spins her chopsticks during a meal, meaning - if she is picking something up to put on her plate she uses the thick end, then rotates the chopsticks and eats with the narrow end. So basically the part of the chopstick that goes into her mouth never touches the communal food. Makes sense.

I've tried that but when the thick end gets gunky what are you supposed to do?

I believe that's so we don't engage in a mid-dinner wank tbh.

sod that... I prefer to carve and use a plastic spork whenever possible... no washing up afterwards.

The infamous Pixie sandwich from 'The Breakfast Club'. Well done.

Well of course. Isn't it a relief to do things the American way now?

And it's only ok to rest your head on the table if you're very, very drunk.

But if there's food around isn't that a good enough reason to give the poor thing a rest?

I do own a spork

So hubby says -- I hate plastic As for me, I use a proper plate and cutlery even out camping -- and why not. I do the washing up anyways