Cutting the cake, my pet peeve

[ckay87]

Why is it that, with the exception of weddings, it's considered an honor to let the guest of honor cut the cake? This is one of those really minor pet peeves of mine. But whenever I've been given a cake for something and I find myself working my fingers to the bone cutting and handing out cake, getting all messy while everyone else socializes and enjoys MY party and MY cake, I always wonder....WHY???

We just had an office party, and there was the birthday girl, cutting up pieces of cake for 30 people. I went and relieved her of her duties!

 

[DMickey28]

Good question! I wonder if the actual PROPER way to do it is to let the guest of honor cut the first piece and then the host/hostess of the party actually takes over. I have seen it that way many times and THAT makes sense to me.

 

[maslex]

I've always seen someone else cut the cake but the first piece ALWAYS goes to the guest of honor.

 

[happygirl]

I've always seen someone else cut the cake but the first piece ALWAYS goes to the guest of honor.

That what we do as well.

 

[claudia]

we always let the guest of honor make the first cut....then the host/hostess will take over from there. Now if it's my birthday cake, I claim the piece with the biggest flower on it!

 

[Presentation]

It goes like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHl8j4XuJY0

 

[Rora]

Good question! I wonder if the actual PROPER way to do it is to let the guest of honor cut the first piece and then the host/hostess of the party actually takes over. I have seen it that way many times and THAT makes sense to me.

This makes the most sense to me.

OP that is one of my pet peeves too!! If I am being celebrated, I don't want have to hustle around making sure everyone got cake, forks, etc.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I've always seen someone else cut the cake but the first piece ALWAYS goes to the guest of honor.

Ditto. In fact we will ask which piece they prefer.

 

[clgwli]

Here the guest makes the first cut and then claims their piece. After that someone else does the cutting. The guest is always supposed to take the first bite in our circle.

 

[pigletgirl]

Ditto. In fact we will ask which piece they prefer.

Exactly! Their day, their preference.

And even with wedding cakes, the bride and groom will only cut the first piece. Someone else does the rest.

 

[MIGrandma]

Good question! I wonder if the actual PROPER way to do it is to let the guest of honor cut the first piece and then the host/hostess of the party actually takes over. I have seen it that way many times and THAT makes sense to me.

That's what I'm thinking as well.

The person the party is honoring shouldn't have to be the designated cake cutter/server.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Honestly, I've never really observed in any gathering the guest of honor cutting the cake unless it was a significant or milestone event like a wedding or a major anniversary. Now you have me wondering. Traditionally, I thought that offering the first piece of cake was appropriate.

Bottom line though, the guest of honor should never be expected to do all of the work. However, I have been known to do the serving just b/c I wanted to and figure that was a nice way to repay everyone's generosity. I would presume that not everyone minds doing this though I wouldn't expect a GOH to do this. I get peeved when I really want to help and then get told that I absolutely cannot. I get that they don't want me to labor--but it bums me out sometimes.

 

[charming23]

We have always had the guest of honor make the first cut and then have someone else take over to help cut and pass out.

 

[mcco5543]

I've always seen someone else cut the cake but the first piece ALWAYS goes to the guest of honor.

ditto

 

[suzannen]

I was raised that it's very BAD LUCK for the guest of honor to not cut the first piece of cake. But, then the host/hostess or other servers take over.

 

[Bluestars]

Around where I live, the guest of honor cuts all of the pieces. It has never made sense to me either. I wonder if it's a regional thing.

 

[sbell111]

We still get cake, right?

 

[C.Ann]

Other than weddings, I've never heard of such a thing.. Here the guest of honor receives the first piece of cake - and then all the other guests are served by whoever has been chosen to cut the cake..