American traditions changed for eating utensils?

Question

When I grew up, we were taught to eat with one hand, and lay the other hand in your lap. (unless cutting) Lately I've noticed - the knife in one hand and the fork in the other turned over using the knife to "push" food on it and eating with the fork turned over.on the back. Is this European or just the latest?

Answer 1

Considering this is a country made up of immigrants... really, what is "American"? The arrogance is amazing... you do know that "America" is the name of three continents; North Central and South? Brazilians consider themselves American, as do Colombians, and a multitude of other Central and South American Countries. I am 2nd gen. American... my family is from Scotland... As to the eating; I am left handed, I eat with my fork in my right hand, and my knife in my left (it's easier to cut with, and I also use it to push food onto the fork, when it's being elusive... depending upon the dish at hand). The most difficult thing for me to get used to is eating with my wife's family, who refuse to use knives at all, and prefer to pick up large pieces of meat, and tear off a bite with hands & teeth... buy hey; to each his/her own, eh? How many of you use a spoon & fork, to twist your pasta? Hmmm?

Answer 2

Your way is correct for Americans. Always keep your hands in lap when not in use. And eat with the fork in the right hand, but alternate the fork and knife when cutting meat. This is actually a hold-over from European traditions which have evolved into more efficient ways of eating. They always keep the fork in one hand (not that alternating b.s.). However, they too, should once in a while be resting their utensils--and then their hands should be resting in their laps as well.

Answer 3

No, in Europe it's considered bad manners to place hands below table's level - unless it is to adjust napkin on lap.

It is also bad manners to switch hands while handling cutlery. Fork should not be turned upside down (tines downwards) while eating, and knife should never point upwards, or at people - in the heat of the conversation; the knife should be used only for cutting, and only with the left hand.

The American way of eating at table is for us an absolute no-no.

But if the overall manners of a person are impeccable and otherwise elegant, he (or she) can get away with almost anything

Answer 4

Only in the USA do parents tell kids to keep a hand in the lap...Europeans know a hand under the table spells trouble! lol
Eating with knife and fork is acceptable anywhere, but pushing food around your place is rude everywhere..

Answer 5

That's actually how Europeans (and just about everyone else in the world besides Americans) eat.

I learned my table manners in a foreign country, so that's how I eat. 20+ years ago, when I first moved back to the US, I got a lot of comments on my strange manner of eating. I have noticed that the comments have slowed to a trickle, and many other people eat that way now. I think it's because we all come in contact with others who eat that way. I know this sounds silly, but people used to tell me that the way I eat looks, "cultured", and I used to have friends who would practice eating that way because they liked the way it looks. I think it's just one of those things where familiarity makes it seem desirable, and people learn it from eating with others that eat that way.

With that said, there are few things less pleasant that watching someone fumble their way through dinner trying to master that way of eating. I think those who have the best manners eat the way they have been taught, and with which they are most comfortable. I mean, who really cares how it looks. They are utensils, and as long as you use them gracefully, and manage to get the food to your mouth without making a huge mess, that's all that counts.

Answer 6

I have always Used a Knife and Fork,and would find it Alien to use a Fork only!

Answer 7

that's what they call Slave food or Southern food. If it weren't for the Slaves interior the South the left over plantation and slave vendors might have starved to dying. because it exchange into The Freed slaves help those in choose and taught them a thank you to enhance and cook dinner their very own food. The slaves have been given the aspects of the animals it incredibly is the whites does not consume ( in the event that they even have been provided that) vegetables and corn-bread have been a staple. Southerns had slaves to cook dinner between different issues for them so it is the place "soul food" got here from no person might call it slave food,it does not be top.

Answer 8

It is mankind adapting to the best usage of an inheritated shape of a utensil.
Why not go practical. There are no such things called traditions in the way we use tools.
We are in a constant state of evolution.
Bon appetit (even with hands...)

Answer 9

This is euro bs. Or retarded kids who somehow became adults and never learned how to eat with a knife and fork.

Answer 10

It's definitely European.