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My boyfriend is British and thinks the way Americans eat by switching their knife and fork back and forth between their hands is "clumsy." According to him, it is more elegant to keep your fork in your left hand and your knife in your right the whole time, European style. Now I feel self-conscious around silverware. Should I try to eat like my Brit boyfriend? Is one style more cultured and cosmopolitan than the other? What about when I meet his parents?
—Cutlery Clash
Dear Cutlery Clash,
You shouldn't try to emulate your boyfriend's parents' European cutlery usage purely to impress them any more than you should attempt a British accent or refer to four o'clock as teatime. Do whatever feels most comfortable for you. As long as you're not talking with your mouth full of half-chewed food or tweeting about his parents under the table, they're not likely to consider you a boor. It really shouldn't matter to them which hand your fork is in.
That said, your boyfriend isn't the only one to wrinkle his nose at the so-called American style of cutlery usage. Emily Post herself thought it was inefficient, derisively dubbing it the "zigzag" method. As Chowhounds have pointed out in their epic debate on this topic, the European style is more efficient (not to mention easier for left-handers). When my uptight ex-boyfriend from my days at Oxford University came to visit, his chief observation from his tour of the U.S. was: "Doesn't anyone in this country know how to hold a knife and fork? People eat like barbarians!" (Yet more proof that he and I were totally wrong for each other.)
Critics of the zigzag method might be surprised to learn that it originated in Europe. Darra Goldstein, editor of Gastronomica magazine and cocurator of the exhibit "Feeding Desire: Design and the Tools of the Table, 1500–2005" at the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum, says, "Americans actually got the transfer method from the French. It was fashionable among the French upper classes."
It's not quite clear why the French adopted it in the first place. Sarah Coffin, head of product design and decorative arts at the Cooper-Hewitt and cocurator of "Feeding Desire," suggests this method originated because it may have seemed less hostile—and therefore more genteel—to put your knife down when not using it. That way you could avoid "waving it around or potentially pointing it at someone." Another reason, she explains, might be that the first forks had straight, very sharp tines, and people preferred to manipulate these crude instruments with their more efficient right hands. When forks developed their gentle spoonlike curves, it became safe to use the clumsier left hand.
Eventually Europeans abandoned the zigzag style. So why did Americans stick with it? Again, historians can only speculate. We do know that Americans did not start using forks (other than crude meat forks) until the second half of the 19th century, when the implements had become a status symbol. In fact, forks became so trendy that, according to Goldstein, it was considered proper "to eat even ice cream with a fork." She theorizes that since the zigzag method involves putting down your knife, it was a good way to showcase the more sophisticated and impressive fork.
But we all can agree that nowadays, owning a fork is nothing to show off about.
As an American I say learn to use a knife and fork properly. Switching hands does not make you look gentile, it just look silly. As it is most Americans eat with their hands, pizza, sandwiches, wings, burgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, fried chicken, fries, nachos, tacos, burritos, BBQ, puu-puu platters with egg rolls and coconut shrimp, hot pockets, snack 'ems, PBJs you name it....hey we invented the...+READ
As an American I say learn to use a knife and fork properly. Switching hands does not make you look gentile, it just look silly. As it is most Americans eat with their hands, pizza, sandwiches, wings, burgers, hot dogs, corn dogs, fried chicken, fries, nachos, tacos, burritos, BBQ, puu-puu platters with egg rolls and coconut shrimp, hot pockets, snack 'ems, PBJs you name it....hey we invented the 'spork'!-COLLAPSE
I dont get what the zigzag method is..
I think switching hands after cutting is more polite because your not busy stuffing your face faster with food.. its about taking the time to cut it.
not only does it make you look like a toddler, chopping up your steak then eating it means it will cool faster and hence probably not taste as good. and be less juicy. it's just wrong on so many levels
By jcolvin on November 7, 2010 08:57 PM
You don't cut up all of your meat. You cut a piece put down your knife and transfer the fork to your right hand and eat the piece. The extra time...+READ
not only does it make you look like a toddler, chopping up your steak then eating it means it will cool faster and hence probably not taste as good. and be less juicy. it's just wrong on so many levels
By jcolvin on November 7, 2010 08:57 PM
You don't cut up all of your meat. You cut a piece put down your knife and transfer the fork to your right hand and eat the piece. The extra time since being cut is pretty negligible actually.-COLLAPSE
As a left hander, with a left handed girlfriend It's a non-issue. Also note that a proper table setting places the fork on the left and the knife on the right. We just pick up the utensils from the respective side, cut and eat. (Same goes for flyfishing by the way, where right handers cast with the rod in the right hans then switch to the left so they can also crank the reel with the right. Waste...+READ
As a left hander, with a left handed girlfriend It's a non-issue. Also note that a proper table setting places the fork on the left and the knife on the right. We just pick up the utensils from the respective side, cut and eat. (Same goes for flyfishing by the way, where right handers cast with the rod in the right hans then switch to the left so they can also crank the reel with the right. Waste of motion just as the table manner thing.-COLLAPSE
not only does it make you look like a toddler, chopping up your steak then eating it means it will cool faster and hence probably not taste as good. and be less juicy. it's just wrong on so many levels
Thanks for the story; I had always wondered how the "zig-zag" got started and I think the "less hostile" explanation makes sense.
i find it interesting that europeans are being criticized by north americans for shoveling food and not enjoying it. it's like some sort of alternate universe from the one i am aware of.
i was taught the correct (sorry, european) way when i was in kindergarten, so obviously it wasn't so difficult that an entire continent cannot manage it.
chopping up your meat and then eating it in little...+READ
i find it interesting that europeans are being criticized by north americans for shoveling food and not enjoying it. it's like some sort of alternate universe from the one i am aware of.
i was taught the correct (sorry, european) way when i was in kindergarten, so obviously it wasn't so difficult that an entire continent cannot manage it.
chopping up your meat and then eating it in little pieces makes you look like a toddler, that linen napkin lying daintily on your lap notwithstanding.
yes, i know i sound like a judgmental bag, and yes, i really wish i could let it go, but alas, i cannot.-COLLAPSE
Ignor him eat how you feel comfortable , I am Englisn and not a snob.
I had no idea anyone switched hands. I'm a lefty and just always keep the fork in my left hand; it feels weird to do anything else. Learn something new every day, I guess.
I just realized that this isn't usually an issue for me lately. I've been eating a lot of rice and vegetables that don't require any cutting, hence my fork is usually in my right hand, with the knife remaining in the drawer.
I can eat a steak either way, but I usually prefer to pick up food and deliver it to my mouth using a fork held in my right hand.
People really shouldn't be criticizing...+READ
I just realized that this isn't usually an issue for me lately. I've been eating a lot of rice and vegetables that don't require any cutting, hence my fork is usually in my right hand, with the knife remaining in the drawer.
I can eat a steak either way, but I usually prefer to pick up food and deliver it to my mouth using a fork held in my right hand.
People really shouldn't be criticizing your style of eating while they are dining with you, and vice-versa. I think that it's a fair subject of discussion as long as your dining companions are familiar and any comment remains non-judgemental. To criticize a person in such a way would be just as bad as poking fun at another person's accent, it's a brutish and impolite thing to do. This type of criticism does more to reveal bad character than it does to reveal bad table manners, whether at the table or online.-COLLAPSE
OK, to expand on this, is the fork always used in the left hand or is it used in the right when eating things other than the bit of meat you just cut? I'm pretty clumsy with the left hand and would have a hard time picking up other food items. I bet others, even Yurropeans, transfer the fork to the right when eating other things.
Hey, how about spaghetti? Twirl the fork in the left or right?...+READ
OK, to expand on this, is the fork always used in the left hand or is it used in the right when eating things other than the bit of meat you just cut? I'm pretty clumsy with the left hand and would have a hard time picking up other food items. I bet others, even Yurropeans, transfer the fork to the right when eating other things.
Hey, how about spaghetti? Twirl the fork in the left or right? For me the left would be a disaster.-COLLAPSE
Dining using the European style will definitely result in some odd looks from fellow American diners. Having lived in Germany for several years, I adopted their style of dining, but upon returning to American, I ultimately switched back to the zig-zag, simply because it is considered by many Americans to be poor table manners. As the saying goes - When in Rome...
I was born and raised in New York, but I didn't even know a zig-zag method existed.
I was raised by German parents, so I still eat in the European manner. I find it more efficient, since I am not forced to transfer utensils as I eat.
I do the zig-zag method because I find it very difficult for me to use my fork with my left hand. I end up looking very clumsy while eating since my left hand looks really awkward when lifting up the fork. Though I do agree it is silly and I have been laughed about using this method before, but whatever works better for each person is best!
I don't like the zig-zagging method much but I really find hilarious and gauche the table top cellists out there. Those people who hold their fork upright with fingers in a caricature of cello playing while they saw away with the knife. Ring any bells?
Someone at the Catholic college I went to once told me the zig zag method is used because the devil is associated with the left hand
I'm a lefty and keep my fork in my left hand and my knife in my right hand. I'm also Canadian though.
Even when I've traveled to the States I've never in my life seen anyone eat with this 'zig-zag' pattern. It sounds ridiculous and inefficient.
I'm left handed and keep my fork in my left hand and my knife in my right. When I prep food, I use the knife with my left hand.
I wonder if it is because most folks are right handed, left handed folks like me usually never switch hands when using a knife with their food. When I use a knife I have it in my left hand, fork in right, never switch, however when I eat something that doesn't need a knife, the fork is in the left hand. Any other lefties who can comment?
"I think one issue is that the Brits think they have a sacred duty to decry all facets of American culture."
Yes, we do.
Who cares about being efficient? If switching hands forces you to eat more slowly, isn't that a GOOD thing?
Neither method is "right or wrong", it's a matter of geography. If you really want to see a terrible method, then travel to the Mid-West, particularly Michigan. They hold their forks in what can only be described as a "death grip". The fork is held vertical to the plate, tines down, & all 4 finger tips somehow manage to keep it upright. I tried it--it's very clumsy to do & even worse to look at.
I think one issue is that the Brits think they have a sacred duty to decry all facets of American culture.
Sorry...but I've always thought the European method looks cave-mannish with both hands hovering over the plate, arms resting on the table, utensils clutched in both mitts. If any style looks barbarian IMO it's the European style. And how rude of these European boyfriends to make such offensive comments. Cutlery Clash needs to inform her oafish friend just who originated the zigzag style (and if...+READ
Sorry...but I've always thought the European method looks cave-mannish with both hands hovering over the plate, arms resting on the table, utensils clutched in both mitts. If any style looks barbarian IMO it's the European style. And how rude of these European boyfriends to make such offensive comments. Cutlery Clash needs to inform her oafish friend just who originated the zigzag style (and if her beloved rests his arms on the table, she can recite the old "Mabel Mabel" ditty :)-COLLAPSE
When I observe those who use the European method, they often cut a piece of meat, then slather mashed potatoes onto the meat for a combined taste. If this tastes best to you, I would say it's more difficult to pull off with the zig-zag.
Actually, having lived in the MidWest and both Coasts of the United States, I notice that the "zig zag" method is actually more predominant in the MidWest and smaller cities. In the more cosmopolitan major cities like Chicago, New York, San Francisco, etc., most people use the more efficient "European" method.
Well cutting the steak entirely as an adult is bad manners-very young children do get that treatment. I taught my 3 sons to zigzag as soon as they were comfortable using the proper utensils-which was pretty young. I'm left dominant as are two of my sons (oldest & youngest). My middle one just copied his oldest brother probably.
"one could eliminate the issue entirely by cutting the entire piece of meat into pieces first"
Let's never mind the issue that this technique makes one look like a toddler; it also allows 1) more juice to run out of your meat, and 2) cools your meat significantly by the time you're finishing it. But if you enjoy eating cold, dry meat, by all means, go ahead.
That's just flat out stupid, European don't own the rights to eating with the fork in left hand and the knife in the right. I've been eating this way since I was a child because it's easier for me, not because I thought that Europeans would approve. Do what works best for you.
OR one could eliminate the issue entirely by cutting the entire piece of meat into pieces first, thus finishing with the knife, and then eat carefree with your fork in your dominant hand.
Uh - interestin article to the point where I read: "We do know that Americans did not start using forks (other than crude meat forks) until the second half of the 19th century."
How do you explain the set of very early 19th century silver dinner forks passed down from my ancestors? Oh, Americans were using forks in the 17th and 18th centuries.
I think this is a great top. I was taught the zig-zag method by my European parents, but my Brit friends castigated me when they saw how I used my utensils. I cannot see the utility of trying to pile peas atop the curved tines of a fork. The read rudeness: when the high and might Brits leave the table while you're still eating. To each their own as far as utensil use: just don't mock someone who...+READ
I think this is a great top. I was taught the zig-zag method by my European parents, but my Brit friends castigated me when they saw how I used my utensils. I cannot see the utility of trying to pile peas atop the curved tines of a fork. The read rudeness: when the high and might Brits leave the table while you're still eating. To each their own as far as utensil use: just don't mock someone who chooses one version over the other. Chopsticks = the great equalizer? Could be a fun experiment.-COLLAPSE
"If I go to eat a meal somewhere and someone is boorish enough to make an issue of whether or not I'm using the implement THEY think is appropriate (place settings with multiple forks and spoons are so silly), it's their problem, not mine."
Sure, why not just request your food in a trough and stick your head in and eat straight from there? If anyone has a problem with it, that's their issue,...+READ
"If I go to eat a meal somewhere and someone is boorish enough to make an issue of whether or not I'm using the implement THEY think is appropriate (place settings with multiple forks and spoons are so silly), it's their problem, not mine."
Sure, why not just request your food in a trough and stick your head in and eat straight from there? If anyone has a problem with it, that's their issue, right?-COLLAPSE
Yes - much more sophisticated...
God gave us fingers for a reason! And yeah, I agree, anyone who would make an issue of something as meaningless as which hand you hold your knife with is going to have deeper issues. If I go to eat a meal somewhere and someone is boorish enough to make an issue of whether or not I'm using the implement THEY think is appropriate (place settings with multiple forks and spoons are so silly), it's...+READ
God gave us fingers for a reason! And yeah, I agree, anyone who would make an issue of something as meaningless as which hand you hold your knife with is going to have deeper issues. If I go to eat a meal somewhere and someone is boorish enough to make an issue of whether or not I'm using the implement THEY think is appropriate (place settings with multiple forks and spoons are so silly), it's their problem, not mine.
It kills me, the ridiculously rude things people think they have the right to say when they perceive someone else to be breaking a rule of etiquette. If the first rule of etiquette is not respect for others, then etiquette is altogether meaningless.-COLLAPSE
do what you are comfortable with. anyone who would judge you for something as meaningless as that has deeper issues that WILL come to the fore at some point
I was shamed into the "european" method while on an extended stay in Germany, years agoo. I must admit that it is more efficient and less clumsy than the switcheroo game.
But then again, I ALWAYS eat my desserts with a SPOON. I can't see wasting all those crumbs and syrups and sauces that can only be scooped with a spoon.
answer: use chopsticks.
No, you should not cut your steak like a ritual circumcision. :-)
I was never taught the switching routine when I grew up. In fact, I've never even seen someone do that. Instead, when we were eating something that required cutting like a piece of meat we'd hold the fork in our left hands, tines up, and cut with the knife in the right. When eating something like rice or pie that didn't need cutting, we'd just use the fork in the right hand, alone.
Recently I...+READ
I was never taught the switching routine when I grew up. In fact, I've never even seen someone do that. Instead, when we were eating something that required cutting like a piece of meat we'd hold the fork in our left hands, tines up, and cut with the knife in the right. When eating something like rice or pie that didn't need cutting, we'd just use the fork in the right hand, alone.
Recently I switched to the British way, keeping my fork tines-down in my left hand and my knife in my right at all times. I like it a lot better: it's neater and less frustrating. I always felt it was a little babyish to pile food onto the fork tines-up, without the help of a knife, and cutting with your fork can be inefficient and messy. Salad used to be a total chore without a knife in hand--now it's a piece of cake (pun not intended).-COLLAPSE
Whenever this issue comes up on the boards I feel like I am living in crazy town. I am from the midwest US and I have NEVER EVER seen anyone switch hands when eating.
The question was "Should I Cut My Steak Like a Brit?" The answer will depend on who you are with. Etiquette is a conventional requirements of a social group. "when in rome act like the romans". In your case, when dining with Brits, eat like a Brit.
ok...my father was Danish. I grew up eating with the fork in the left hand inverted and the knife in the right. Thing is...when I grew older, I always felt self conscious because my friends ate the "other" way. Do what makes you comfortable. Unless you fart at the table...who cares??
Sorry I watch the "elite" eat this way and it makes me ill, its as though they need to be efficient eating because we need to get it all in and down our gullet as quickly as possible. I have actually seen these "proper" eaters(I will not call them diners) use the knife to shovel food in. If I had done that at the dinner table my dear father would have used the knife to whack the back of my...+READ
Sorry I watch the "elite" eat this way and it makes me ill, its as though they need to be efficient eating because we need to get it all in and down our gullet as quickly as possible. I have actually seen these "proper" eaters(I will not call them diners) use the knife to shovel food in. If I had done that at the dinner table my dear father would have used the knife to whack the back of my hand...and rightfully so! We are DINING people!!! efficiency should be the last thing on our minds!-COLLAPSE
Why would you care what anyone thinks? It's your meal, your utensils.
This is where class snobbery, mutual respect and self confidence become very complicated.
We want our children to have 'good' manners. I explain this to them as having an awareness and not making other people feel uncomfortable, either with their language or behaviour.
In practice with table manners this is an obligation not to make 'lower mannered' people feel inferior and not to let silly...+READ
This is where class snobbery, mutual respect and self confidence become very complicated.
We want our children to have 'good' manners. I explain this to them as having an awareness and not making other people feel uncomfortable, either with their language or behaviour.
In practice with table manners this is an obligation not to make 'lower mannered' people feel inferior and not to let silly people feel superior or 'offended?'. Unless of course they are inverted snobs whereby the cutlery should remain hidden in the drawer and both elbows should remain resolutely on the table.
I don't want my girls to pander to silly ideas and shallowness but at the same time I don't want them to be disadvantaged so we indulge them in our own confusion.
What is interesting here in the UK now is that the plummy and affected middle and upper class accent that people paid for through often shoddy schooling and instilled with venom, the kind of accent that gave a person 'authority', has now been dumped by just about everyone except the extremely insecure.
Mind you, this has also meant that the previously cheapest cuts like pork bellies, neck of lamb and beef skirt have shot up in price as the privelliged classes re discover the delights of poverty and thrift.
God dam them, I mean us or you?????????-COLLAPSE
The correct American etiquette is to keep the knife in the right hand at all times.
I am a lefty and always keep fork in left hand and knife in right. Plus my mother taught us this way on top of it. I never did it any other way. It was not till I traveled overseas and people started commenting that I held my silverware in the Euro way did I even think of it. I was suprised people even discuss this much less write about it.
Harry, mostly I find Helena's columns engaging. But I agree with you here: this particular topic's a snooze. I honestly never thought about how I cut my food or anyone else cuts theirs, and I don't care. (My parents had such a struggle trying to teach me, a lefty, how to hold a pen "correctly" I think they probably gave up on everything else.)
But I guess we're alone on that, b/c it has inspired...+READ
Harry, mostly I find Helena's columns engaging. But I agree with you here: this particular topic's a snooze. I honestly never thought about how I cut my food or anyone else cuts theirs, and I don't care. (My parents had such a struggle trying to teach me, a lefty, how to hold a pen "correctly" I think they probably gave up on everything else.)
But I guess we're alone on that, b/c it has inspired a fair number of comments. It is technically a matter of etiquette after all. It's just a silly one IMO.
I say bring back trenchers. That sounds like a lot more fun anyway.-COLLAPSE
I grew up eating "European" style. So I don't know any other way but, I have to sniggle to myself every time I see someone eating the American "zig zag" way. To me, it looks ridiculous.
galalefey said:
Ok, but can we talk about how it's wrong to eat rice with a spoon? As a child of Latin American parents, I boggled whenever I saw anyone eating it like that, and my mother told me it was uneducated to eat rice with a spoon.
I have a superb Korean spoon and metal chopstick set.
the spoon is perfect for soup and scarfing up sticky rice.
A different culture:
...+READ
galalefey said:
Ok, but can we talk about how it's wrong to eat rice with a spoon? As a child of Latin American parents, I boggled whenever I saw anyone eating it like that, and my mother told me it was uneducated to eat rice with a spoon.
I have a superb Korean spoon and metal chopstick set.
the spoon is perfect for soup and scarfing up sticky rice.
A different culture:
http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/korean-spoon-set.html-COLLAPSE
It's hard to express in polite language my contempt for these shallow, boring, and useless articles (or, rather, for the people and bosses who produce or approve them). Hey, wait, that wasn't so hard. Come on, fellow 'Hounds, join with me!
So glad I am a lefty, no zig-zagging for me.
When the Brits start keeping up with the American level of oral hygiene, then and only then can they complain about our steak cutting technique.
This strikes me funny. I'm Canadian and was brought up with the zigzag method I guess ( never knew there was a name for it ! ). Many years ago, I spent some time in England and within a few days of my arrival, having noticed the different way cutlery was used, I naturally and forever changed my way of eating. It was a perfect fit for me. I do think it is more efficient, less clinking noises and I...+READ
This strikes me funny. I'm Canadian and was brought up with the zigzag method I guess ( never knew there was a name for it ! ). Many years ago, I spent some time in England and within a few days of my arrival, having noticed the different way cutlery was used, I naturally and forever changed my way of eating. It was a perfect fit for me. I do think it is more efficient, less clinking noises and I don't think I shovel my food ( well , I hope not ). That said, to each their own :-)
Nancy B-COLLAPSE
what I dislike about the fork-in-left-hand method is that eaters usually shovel the food into their gaping maw, smashing vegetables into paste upon the piece of meat with their knife, and using the fork as some sort of pushing instrument to get the whole lot into the mouth at once. Disgusting to watch if you happen to be sitting across from said diner, or to their left!
"This is news to me. I've never switched my knife from hand to hand. It stays in my left hand, fork in my right. Is this really so unusual?"
Actually, that does strike me as unusual as the arrangement is typically the other way around (knife in right, fork in left) but if it works for you, and if you avoid smacking your food, I'm not complaining (or declaring your method 'animalistic').
Because eating with a spoon (and/or fork in right hand) is what toddlers. Correct cutlary use is a sign that you(re growing up.
But true enough: I came to recognize US citizens by the place of their fork during dinner (and the left hand on their lap...shudder)
The fork never leaves the left hand while eating steak. Why? It is more efficient. Why whould I fork with left, cut with right, then switch the fork, which is already impaled through the steak to the right hand to bring it to my mouth?
http://extendedstaymotels.us
I don't know if it is a Canadian thing or what, but I have never, ever heard of this whole "US fork/knife vs European fork/knife" thing. I, and everyone I know, eat with the knife in the right hand and the fork in the left, the "European style" I guess. I can't imagine why anyone would take the time to switch hands, and it just sounds bizarre to me. The next time I'm in the States I'm definitely...+READ
I don't know if it is a Canadian thing or what, but I have never, ever heard of this whole "US fork/knife vs European fork/knife" thing. I, and everyone I know, eat with the knife in the right hand and the fork in the left, the "European style" I guess. I can't imagine why anyone would take the time to switch hands, and it just sounds bizarre to me. The next time I'm in the States I'm definitely going to pay attention to how people around me are eating, not to criticize, but mostly because I don't even know how this whole hand switching thing would work.-COLLAPSE
Ok, but can we talk about how it's wrong to eat rice with a spoon? As a child of Latin American parents, I boggled whenever I saw anyone eating it like that, and my mother told me it was uneducated to eat rice with a spoon.
Some people need to get some real problems so they can stop worrying about things like this.
This is news to me. I've never switched my knife from hand to hand. It stays in my left hand, fork in my right. Is this really so unusual?
EVERYone on TV shows eat in this EU mode. I've rarely noticed it in real life.
Tatamagouche - I can only offer that the historic tidbit was from my mom. However, I recall hearing it very young when she was teaching me the "American" way to manage my cutlery as this was how revolutionary sympathizers could be readily spotted in taverns. Not only was the hand switch mandatory but, after replacing the knife, a brief pause was in order before picking up the fork. It accordingly...+READ
Tatamagouche - I can only offer that the historic tidbit was from my mom. However, I recall hearing it very young when she was teaching me the "American" way to manage my cutlery as this was how revolutionary sympathizers could be readily spotted in taverns. Not only was the hand switch mandatory but, after replacing the knife, a brief pause was in order before picking up the fork. It accordingly slowed things down and allowed for longer conversation. (And,after all, chopping up all your meat at the beginning of the meal to avoid multiple switchings was, well, "for people raised in a barn."
An upper-class French convention that we adopted to secretly convey our anti-British sentiments? Who knows for sure? But its a good story.
CP-COLLAPSE
I grew up during the time when families still ate together. During our family meals, my parents tried to teach me to hold my fork in my left hand and cut with my right. It seemed to be a lost cause, as I never developed proper hand-eye coordination, because I'm partially blind, and couldn't control my utensils very well. Now that I'm older, I can manage the European-style; however, it's still...+READ
I grew up during the time when families still ate together. During our family meals, my parents tried to teach me to hold my fork in my left hand and cut with my right. It seemed to be a lost cause, as I never developed proper hand-eye coordination, because I'm partially blind, and couldn't control my utensils very well. Now that I'm older, I can manage the European-style; however, it's still quite awkward for me. I find American-style to be far more manageable.
I would never dream of criticizing a person for their style. Frankly, I find it ill-bred and patronizing to make a person feel uneasy about the way they hold their utensils.-COLLAPSE
Chefpaulo—that's fascinating. Any recollection of your source?
Wow, Sal Vanilla. That was kind of an ugly sentiment. I hope you don't leave the US.
@Kaimuki, please read and comphrehend.. it was said it was easier not more difficult
I always heard that the hand switching was an anti-Tory sign during the American Revolution so that those opposed to British rule could identify each other in public. While I never heard about it being a French invention, its adoption as an anti-British sentiment is at least plausible.
I'd like to point out (in the spirit of slow enjoyment of food) that it takes a bit of time to move the fork to the other hand and required you lay the knife down. If you ate without this change - well you could just fork it right in without pause. Plus, I think you look a bit animalistic clutching your fork backwards and then jamming in your mouth - possibly, as I have seen many a European do,...+READ
I'd like to point out (in the spirit of slow enjoyment of food) that it takes a bit of time to move the fork to the other hand and required you lay the knife down. If you ate without this change - well you could just fork it right in without pause. Plus, I think you look a bit animalistic clutching your fork backwards and then jamming in your mouth - possibly, as I have seen many a European do, with potatoes or peas and other whatnots piled atop the fork to go along with the cut food at the end of the tines. Give me polite cutting and the fork handshake any day.-COLLAPSE
What do you mean about it being difficult for left handers? I always keep my fork in my left hand (where it belongs) and simply cut with the right. What could be simpler?
I've always eaten left-handed although I'm predominantly right-handed. My husband does do the switch. No big deal.
It's just called practicing proper etiquette!
I guess I never really noticed it. My Grandfather taught me to cut my meat and I use the knife in the left hand, fork in the right. No switching. But I write right handed.
1. Just because people claim the European style is more efficient does not mean that's the reason, or that all Europeans are busy shovelling food in their mouth without thought for the pleasure or enjoyment of dining.
2. For the person from Philly who decries the European-style for fear of being stabbed. It doesn't matter which style one chooses-- waving around utensils is not good behaviour. I...+READ
1. Just because people claim the European style is more efficient does not mean that's the reason, or that all Europeans are busy shovelling food in their mouth without thought for the pleasure or enjoyment of dining.
2. For the person from Philly who decries the European-style for fear of being stabbed. It doesn't matter which style one chooses-- waving around utensils is not good behaviour. I hope you find safer people with whom to eat.-COLLAPSE
Since when is dining about efficiency? If anything, isn't it a good thing that the American style might cause you to linger more over your food?
I'm still not very good with chopsticks, heh, but my left handed friend has picked up his skills with chopsticks quickly. He took a dining etiquette seminar and came back with the fascinating story about how you hold your silverware can literally be a matter of life and death. U.S. spies were sent into enemy territory during one of the wars. They had their accents and language down cold. But how...+READ
I'm still not very good with chopsticks, heh, but my left handed friend has picked up his skills with chopsticks quickly. He took a dining etiquette seminar and came back with the fascinating story about how you hold your silverware can literally be a matter of life and death. U.S. spies were sent into enemy territory during one of the wars. They had their accents and language down cold. But how they held their knife and fork was a dead giveaway and they were all caught and killed.
Ice cream forks are cute little things and very practical, especially if the ice cream has not had time to soften a bit.-COLLAPSE
Oh shanagain, you're so right!
My beloved husband's whole damn family chews with their mouths open. It drives me right out of my mind, apparently nobody ever noticed or mentioned it, and there are five kids. I don't pay any mind to knife-switching, and if somebody in a family gathering even mentioned it to me I'd probably go supernova and have to kill myself afterward (since I otherwise love...+READ
Oh shanagain, you're so right!
My beloved husband's whole damn family chews with their mouths open. It drives me right out of my mind, apparently nobody ever noticed or mentioned it, and there are five kids. I don't pay any mind to knife-switching, and if somebody in a family gathering even mentioned it to me I'd probably go supernova and have to kill myself afterward (since I otherwise love them all), because that mouth noise thing makes me absolutely psycho (in case you hadn't already figured it out).
By the way, I adopted the European style many, many years ago when I was a kid. I thought it was cool and more efficient after my mother explained it to me (although she disapproved loud and long ever after). It has nothing to do with fast eating.-COLLAPSE
Geez, does everybody have a stuffy ex-boyfriend from Oxford? Glad I'm not the only one. Anyway, in an attempt to, uh, "blend," during my year in the UK, I tried it the British way and soon found myself nearly unable to use cutlery at all. So I gave it up, and every time it was mentioned explained politely that I ate differently because I was from the United States, which was this whole other...+READ
Geez, does everybody have a stuffy ex-boyfriend from Oxford? Glad I'm not the only one. Anyway, in an attempt to, uh, "blend," during my year in the UK, I tried it the British way and soon found myself nearly unable to use cutlery at all. So I gave it up, and every time it was mentioned explained politely that I ate differently because I was from the United States, which was this whole other country where some things were different. I was surprised by the frequency with which the subject arose, since I was taught that nothing was ruder than openly criticizing your dining companions.
Frankly, as long as you don't chew with your mouth open, I could care less what you do with your silverware. I will say, though, that - at least in reference to the aforementioned stuffy ex - I found the "efficiency" a bit off-putting. Three seconds between bites doesn't leave much time for leisurely conversation.-COLLAPSE
I thought the nature of "manners" was to take a practical habit and encrust it with decades (if not centuries) of tradition, resulting in a cumbersome display of one's culturedness. As a peacock's feathers are a liability in flight, all the more they impress the pea-hen. Table manners at the court of Louis XIV required a number of full-time staffers just to keep track of them. So arguing that...+READ
I thought the nature of "manners" was to take a practical habit and encrust it with decades (if not centuries) of tradition, resulting in a cumbersome display of one's culturedness. As a peacock's feathers are a liability in flight, all the more they impress the pea-hen. Table manners at the court of Louis XIV required a number of full-time staffers just to keep track of them. So arguing that one's manners are better than another's because they're more efficient is a non-starter, since efficiency is not really the aim of manners.-COLLAPSE
Just how is it any of the Brits' business which hand holds the forkin' fork? I don't imagine one of them would care to have it pointed out that they eat with the fork "upside down", i.e. tines pointed downward and with mashed potatoes loaded on it with the knife (sometimes with a sprinkling of peas).
That's barbaric.
OK, in normal place settings all the forks are on the left. Does that mean...+READ
Just how is it any of the Brits' business which hand holds the forkin' fork? I don't imagine one of them would care to have it pointed out that they eat with the fork "upside down", i.e. tines pointed downward and with mashed potatoes loaded on it with the knife (sometimes with a sprinkling of peas).
That's barbaric.
OK, in normal place settings all the forks are on the left. Does that mean that you eat salad or other forkables left-handed?-COLLAPSE
Many Americans eat without switching the fork from one hand to the other. There seems to be a certain regional element to the custom. In regions that experienced later European immigration the switching technique is less prevalent. I find the hand switching routine to be overly fussy and quite noisy and clumsy.
Why not give the European technique a try? It won't take long to get used to it, and...+READ
Many Americans eat without switching the fork from one hand to the other. There seems to be a certain regional element to the custom. In regions that experienced later European immigration the switching technique is less prevalent. I find the hand switching routine to be overly fussy and quite noisy and clumsy.
Why not give the European technique a try? It won't take long to get used to it, and you may like it better. One of the great joys of a cross-cultural relationship is the fun of merging your customs to create something new. I'm sure your boyfriend has picked up some American habits as well.-COLLAPSE
Just tell him that we invented driving and until they start driving on the right side as is correct you'll continue to eat the way you want to.
I'm an American. I've been eating steak for over 40 years and never switched hands. Never knew it was Brit thing.
"I'm mostly left-handed, yet I have never been able to use a knife left-handed. So my parents abandoned the switching style with me. My son is also left-handed, so he also uses silverware continental style."
Same here. I never knew there was that much of a difference between how people use their cutlery in different places. Honestly, the classless one here is the boyfriend.
This post was funny to me b/c I have been asked if I leanred to use my knife and fork while studying in London. That question asked to me while in the States seemed so weird at the time. I can do the knife or fork in either the left or right hand and I do like to use them together depending on what I'm eating. However, I sit my knife across the top edge of my plate when not using it. I think in...+READ
This post was funny to me b/c I have been asked if I leanred to use my knife and fork while studying in London. That question asked to me while in the States seemed so weird at the time. I can do the knife or fork in either the left or right hand and I do like to use them together depending on what I'm eating. However, I sit my knife across the top edge of my plate when not using it. I think in American we treat our children like children for too long and when they reach adulthood they can't even eat properly. Perhaps my parents forced me to have table manners when i was young, because I do not recall where or when I picked this habit up.-COLLAPSE
But mountaincachers, how then will I possibly feel superior? Do you not care about my casually absurd xenophobia?!
/sarcasm
I was taught that the most egregious social faux pas is pointing out what one perceives to be another's impolite behavior.
People should be able to enjoy their dining experience if they want... there is no need to constantly guard one's plate with a weapon!
I don't like how with the British method the eater waves the knife around. I've almost been stabbed. Just put down the weapon already. It's a meal, not a jousting tournament.
I'm with cachers. Stop judging people based on something so very, very trivial.
I'm left-handed, and my fork never leaves my left hand, but I never thought about it until I read this. I'm astonished not to have noticed in over 50 years that I hold a table knife in my right hand and a kitchen knife in my left!
When you cut a piece of something, then put the knife down and switch to a fork it looks like you're in kindergarten and cannot be trusted with sharp objects. Even worse, when people cut up their entire piece of protein before starting their meal. Grow up and eat like an adult.
I have always eaten that way. The fork never leaves the left hand while eating steak. Why? It is more efficient. Why whould I fork with left, cut with right, then switch the fork, which is already impaled through the steak to the right hand to bring it to my mouth?
Ve Germanz haff no time for zuch zilly antiks! Effizienzy ist key! Essen Sie Essen! Schnell!
I'm mostly left-handed, yet I have never been able to use a knife left-handed. So my parents abandoned the switching style with me. My son is also left-handed, so he also uses silverware continental style.
A British person criticizing the American way of switching cutlery is no less provincial than Americans referring to British driving on the "wrong" side of the road. I don't believe there is a right or wrong, only the accepted norm for where you were raised. The efficiency argument is also a little lame, as most people eat too quickly anyway. My husband and I were taught differently, and we let...+READ
A British person criticizing the American way of switching cutlery is no less provincial than Americans referring to British driving on the "wrong" side of the road. I don't believe there is a right or wrong, only the accepted norm for where you were raised. The efficiency argument is also a little lame, as most people eat too quickly anyway. My husband and I were taught differently, and we let our son choose which way he wanted to use his fork. We were more concerned with him holding the utensil properly (not in a fist), chewing with his mouth closed, and not shoveling the food in. Maybe the OP should tell her boyfriend that it is "clumsy" to make other people self conscious about their perfectly acceptable silverware usage.-COLLAPSE