Is it rude to point your knife away from yourself (potentially at another diner) at the dinner table?

Question

This is a strange situation. I have a good friend who gestulates with his knife, points it at people to make points and leaves it with the blade pointing at others when he is not using it. I jump every time he swings the knife through the air. In fairness to him, he never actually comes close to hurting anyone and it doesn't noticeably bother others. Is what he is doing considered rude? If so, is there anything polite I can say to discourage him?

Answer 1

Let him know gently that you feel startled everytime he does that. Do it in a joking way the next time he does it, just so he's aware of it. He probably doesn't even give it a second thought.

Answer 2

It's definitely rude!! The biggest issue is he is making himself look bad, but doesn't know it..so you would be doing him a favour by telling him. Just explain, that a knife is a knife and pointing it at others is not nice... or very comfortable for others.

Answer 3

I was taught that a knife is to be placed at the top of the dinner plate with the sharp side toward you. Gesturing with a knife is just plain bad manners.

Answer 4

This is tough one. I do think it's rude to point your knife at another diner (not to mention very threatening), but how to address it? I suppose when he doesn't do it, you could comment on how you appreciated him addressing you with out the knife.....

Answer 5

He might have been raised that way or its part of his culture. Just don't sit in the area he is swinging it around and you will be fine :)

Answer 6

it's rude to point your cutlery at others will having a meal. if you need to gesticulate do it without the cutlery.

you could try hinting subtly that it is rude or you could just ask him directly why he does that, then inform him that it is unbecoming and rude.

Answer 7

Rude is as Rude Does. It's rude if you think it is.