Can anyone tell me please, why the British & U.S. people?

Question

use their knives and forks in such a different way?
Did the Americans inherit this way of eating, (cutting food, then laying down the knife & swapping fork into the other hand) from the early settlers from different countries? Or has it just evolved?

This was intended as a serious question. No thanks to some of my fellow UK countrymen who have answered in such an ignorant & juvenile fashion.

Winter D - I was not referring to Americans only, as 'people' . I think you have interpreted my wording incorrectly.
I was asking, "why the British & U.S.people" meaning both races.

Answer 1

It's all how you were raised. To be honest, as a US citizen, I find the "US way" less effective and counterproductive - yet I still do it. Old habits die hard. :o) We spend an awful lot of time switching hands . . .

We recently visited Vienna and I noticed that everyone used their utensils in the "European" fashion.

Neither way is "right" or "wrong," but just what you are used to.

p.s. Your use of "US People" is just fine. "Americans" refer to people from North, Central and South America combined, except to those who are culturally oblivious.

Answer 2

Not sure why Mephistoph thinks it takes "wit" or "intelligence" to wield a knife and fork. I expect in his country only the really witty and intelligent people can properly use their utensils. Here in the U.S., even our most mentally challenged citizens are able to effectively handle these items.

Actually, the cause of the difference in custom is uncertain. It is believed to have originated because the 16th century American colonists had established themselves before the fork, and any custom of its use, had become widespread in Europe. The implement did not become widespread in Europe (certainly northern Europe) until the 18th century, and was not adopted in the United States until the 19th century. The American use of blunt-ended knives was also a factor.

Another belief is that, as the frontier was a rough and ready place, the placing of the knife back on the table indicated to others that you had no intentions of hurting them. The dropping of the left hand into the lap near a pistol or another knife, however, was an important safety precaution.

Answer 3

There are variations in the way people in the UK use their knives and forks, before you even get around to dragging Americans into it! Observing these different customs is very interesting. Some British people hold their knives like pencils and some in a fist. Many Chinese people (I have observed) hold their forks vertically between thumb and fingers and spear the food from above. I think another poster is right - habits diverged over 200 years ago, and things were different then.

Answer 4

This is almost certainly apochryphal but it is said that the Americans adopted this style so as to be able to recognise each other when in the presence of the enemy (the British) during the War of Independence.

My own theory is that as the fork was not an implement commonly used until the late 17th century, the Americans developed their own way to use it independenty to the manner in which it was used in Europe.

Answer 5

Some people do it because it is what they were taught and they feel that it is the only proper way to do it. I've always thought it was kind of silly...and being left handed, I could never figure out a way to swap things around so that I'd be comfortable enough to do it. hah

Answer 6

Good question. I'm American, and I don't switch the fork to my other hand. I'm right-handed, and I hold my fork in my left hand and my knife in my right hand. I stab the food with my fork and eat it right there--I don't switch it to my right hand. It's a wasted step, if you ask me.

I think it all has to do with how you're raised.

Answer 7

im american and a righty and when i cut i cut w/ the right hand and fork it into my mouth with my left hand. it takes too much time to stop and switch hands.

Answer 8

I don't think all Americans eat in the same manner. It's about personal "preference" than about culture i guess.

Answer 9

most americans are right handed and it just evolved to the way it is now

Answer 10

I don't know. It makes more sense to me to use your good hand to eat with.