Do you eat tea sandwiches with your fingers or utensils?

Question

Recently we had tea at a very nice hotel. I noticed several people eating the tiny sandwiches with a knife and fork. Others picked them up and ate them using only their fingers. Is one way more proper than the other or is it just pretentious? After all, they are called "Finger Sandwiches!"

Answer 1

Unless it's not too messy to eat with your fingers you pick them up and take small bites over a plate or a napkin.

Otherwise use utensils.

Answer 2

According to about.com eating with your fingers is the traditional way practiced in Europe. When High or Low Tea came to America, either became exceptable. It is no longer customary to use only your fingers. As a side note, eating more than 4 Tea Sandwiches is considered very rude, and you should never wear an unbuttoned shirt to High or Low Tea.

Answer 3

Eating them with a fork seems rather gauche to me. Sandwiches are meant to be eaten with one's fingers. If any sandwich is too large (you should never "clutch" a sandwich in your hands during tea) then a knife and fork may be used to cut it into halves. Then the knife and fork should be placed down and the sandwich eaten with one's hands. Also, you should be certain to make the tea sandwich last at least two bites and it is difficult to imagine eating such tiny sandwiches with a fork and having them last two bites.

Answer 4

If it is a sandwich I use my hands. I suppose some people would eat a sandwich with utensils, just as some people eat pizza that way also. It may be more proper, but it certainly isnt a necesity.

Answer 5

Yes, that's definitely a finger food.

Answer 6

Sandwiches are always meant to be picked up with your hands.

Answer 7

With your fingers.

Answer 8

fingers

Answer 9

fingers with pinky in the air

Answer 10

With your fingers.