My granny taught me to eat with one hand under the table, bringing the other up only to cut food.
I don't see this much anymore. Is it becoming a thing of the past?
2007-09-09 04:53:41 · 18 answers · asked by Big John Studd 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Kev, that was a good one!
2007-09-09 04:59:56 · update #1
malwihist,
very interesting trivia. I can see that happening to a spy, because eating manners are so unconcious. The spy agencies would definitely overlook that one while focusing on other mannerisms.
2007-09-09 07:02:05 · update #2
It's not a thing of the past as much as a thing of upscale dining. As people are doing more and more fast food, there are less people showing their children how to eat in a nice restaurant. We also don't have "proper" family meals anymore with all of the activities and laid back ways. You should have your fork in your left hand and your knife in your right, so your right hand should be the one under the table, not the left. For those who think it's the reverse, that's how American spies were discovered during WWI and WWII! They would use their fork in their right hand and then switch hands to use the knife with the right and our spies were discovered! Weird, but true! If you want to eat properly and wow your friends, then keep the right hand on your lap unless you're using the knife.
2007-09-09 06:15:32 · answer #1 · answered by Sit'nTeach'nNanny 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I was raised to eat with a fork in my left hand and cut with my right, so both hands were being used. When I watch Americans eat with the switching of hands and all, it still amuses me, why go through all that trouble. However, if a meal did not consist of a knife, your free hand was rested on your lap, not the table.
I don't think table manners being non-existent is great news, it just goes along with parents not having time, they have to choose which things are important to pass down. That in and of itself in sad. So children/teenagers just think oh we don't do those things anymore. Em, yeah people do.
Mike ask this question next, How many guys take their hats off indoors anymore. I wish they did, and girls as well.
2007-09-09 05:25:19 · answer #2 · answered by ? 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
it is considered rude to rest your hand on the table so both hands should not rest on the table. It is easier for a child to remember this rule if one hand is placed under the table.
I am 30 and my family taught me to hold the fork while cutting in my left hand cut with the right, place the knife down, switch the fork hand place the left hand on my lap, turn the fork tines down while bringing the food to my mouth.
Anyway, I am a Chef now and I get to see many people eat in a 3 star fine dining restaurant. People have lost all table manners. Trust me. ALL table manners.
2007-09-09 05:11:54 · answer #3 · answered by yeschef2003 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
In Germany, it is considered rude to put one hand in your lap while eating.
Doesn t this habit come from ancient times, when you cleaned yourself with your one hand after going to the toilet (and having no water to wash afterwards), while the other one was reserved for eating? Or does it have other reasons?
2015-08-05 01:10:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
um...............I guess, I've never seen anybody do that. If your grandmother taught you that then it was probably something people did a long, long time ago. You can stop now, there is no harm in eating any way you want, people don't really notice table manners that much. I know I don't,.......come to think of it, I don't notice how people sit at all....hum?
2007-09-09 04:59:22 · answer #5 · answered by n_garcia83 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Never have...
The funny thing is that in the US, it is polite to eat with one hand under the table, it means that you're not greedy.
In france, where I'm from, it is polite to eat with the 2 hands on the table, putting one hand under the table, you could be doing something like scratching your balls or stuff nasty like that.
Funny
2007-09-09 04:58:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
I think the most important thing is to be observant. Look at how everyone else at the table is eating and imitate them. That way if you find yourself at a formal dinner at home or in another country you'll be ok.
2007-09-09 06:06:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
not really, but in todays world manners in general are becoming a thing of the past.
2007-09-09 05:04:13 · answer #8 · answered by kaycee 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is very good ettiquette that's pretty much fallen along the
wayside. I may look proper, but I feed the dog a bite or
two under the table.
2007-09-09 04:59:24 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Lots of times I will, especially in public, but if I'm eating alone or with someone who people might think I'm flirting with, then I am careful where my hands look like they go. ;-)
2007-09-09 05:01:47 · answer #10 · answered by *october girl* 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋