Food etiquette

[paulh]

This one has bugged me for many years, we have been brought up to use our knife and fork,when not eating place at 20past and 20to on the plate and when finished, place both at half past(so server knows were finished eating).
We have always observed our american cousins cut everything up into small bits. Then they place the knife at the side of plate,then continue to eat using the fork only(have even seen people eat there steak with a toothpick)
Anyone else noticed this
Paul

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

Yes we've noticed this as well. It seems to be the "way" of eating over there. Even my cousin who has an English dad (my uncle) eats that way although neither of her parents do

To me it looks a very awkward way to eat and without wanting to offend anyone it also looks a bit child like.

 

[Elise79]

Have you also noticed how awkward they look when cutting up their food?

I find it really odd

 

[paulh]

Have you also noticed how awkward they look when cutting up their food?

I find it really odd

the way they hold the fork is weird,as if there stabbing there food
Paul

 

[2Tiggies]

This one has bugged me for many years, we have been brought up to use our knife and fork,when not eating place at 20past and 20to on the plate and when finished, place both at half past(so server knows were finished eating).
We have always observed our american cousins cut everything up into small bits. Then they place the knife at the side of plate,then continue to eat using the fork only(have even seen people eat there steak with a toothpick)
Anyone else noticed this
Paul

I do this

But I DO always place my knife and fork together on the plate as you do, even if I'm at home and clearing my own plate. Nonetheless, go on, make fun of me! lol

 

[paulh]

I do this

But I DO always place my knife and fork together on the plate as you do, even if I'm at home and clearing my own plate. Nonetheless, go on, make fun of me! lol

your not coming round to mine to eat,bet you leave the table before everyone has finished as well
Paul

 

[joolz1910]

No elbows on the table, no reaching across people, knife and fork together when you have finished, no playing with your food, always ask 'please may I leave the table?'

It's automatic in our house but I must say I am amazed at the lack of table manners from some of DDs' friends. One child didn't realise you could pull your chair in and tried to eat 'at a distance'. She was 7

 

[2Tiggies]

your not coming round to mine to eat,bet you leave the table before everyone has finished as well
Paul

No elbows on the table, no reaching across people, knife and fork together when you have finished, no playing with your food, always ask 'please may I leave the table?'

It's automatic in our house but I must say I am amazed at the lack of table manners from some of DDs' friends. One child didn't realise you could pull your chair in and tried to eat 'at a distance'. She was 7

Well you'll be relieved to know that normal, acceptable table manners are insisted upon here. That said, I think you're rude (no dinner invite?) and spoil sports (no playing with food? What the .....)

 

[catherine]

The majority of Americans eat this way and they think that we're very hung up in our attitude to eating. Before living in CA I used to eat pizza with a knife and fork and boy did I get the you know what taken out of me!

 

[paulh]

and no starting eating until everyone at table got there plates
Paul

 

[joolz1910]

and no starting eating until everyone at table got there plates
Paul

Absolutely!
What about people who point with their knife and fork - that is a big no-no!

 

[steve_rob]

My DW eats the "American Way" with just a fork, in her right hand, whereas I still eat with both a knife (right hand) and a fork (left hand). Even if it's food I don't need a knife for, it just feels wrong to me not to be holding one!

 

[Disneynutinlondon]

Absolutely!
What about people who point with their knife and fork - that is a big no-no!

........ and as for talking with your mouth full of food ......... well don't even get me started on that one

 

[VailaTigger]

Annoys me at US restaurants when other people's plates are cleared before I'm finished eating... I know it's their way, but to me it's rude!

I'm a stickler for table manners, and family meals round the dining table at home...

 

[Fantasia Sam]

When I am in the USA I hate being asked if I've finished when to me clearly I have because my knife and fork are together and yes stuff being cleared away before all have finished their plates is also something I have to keep calm over LOL

I do eat some food with just my fork depending on what it is, otherwise I eat just the way the majority of us Brits have been with the knife and fork and yeah even when I see our American friends eating with a knife and fork the way they cut their food strikes me as quite awkward IMHO

 

[2Tiggies]

When I am in the USA I hate being asked if I've finished when to me clearly I have because my knife and fork are together and yes stuff being cleared away before all have finished their plates is also something I have to keep calm over LOL

I think because the servers deal with table habits from so many different cultures, they have to ask whether the guest is finished. Some folk don't like the table cleared until everyone is finished eating while others want their empty plate removed immediately

 

[Fantasia Sam]

I think because the servers deal with table habits from so many different cultures, they have to ask whether the guest is finished. Some folk don't like the table cleared until everyone is finished eating while others want their empty plate removed immediately

Yeah I know LOL it's the same here when we have US friends over in London and the waiter has to ask them if they've finished because they haven't put their knife and fork together LOL LOL

 

[daizieduck]

the way they hold the fork is weird,as if there stabbing there food
Paul

I am Chinese but born and raised in US. My parents too. My mother taught me to put my utensils together to let the server know I am done. Hate when not only are my utensils together buy there is NO FOOD left on
my plate and they ask if I am done. Of course I am done! Maybe "can I take these out of your way?" would be more appropriate. Anyway, I agree with your stabbing comment. Both my parents eat their meat by piercing it with their forks faced down with the tip if their index finger at the neck of the fork and then put it in their mouth the same way. I never do that! Looks so odd to me!!! I also agree with the earlier poster about eating pizza with a knife and fork. The CEO of my company saw me doing this once and asked me do I ever pick it up and eat it with my hands!

 

[daizieduck]

Forgot to mention that a meal at 50's Prime Time Cafe at DHS will teach people some table manners, LOL!

 

[juliebro]

Absolutely agree with all of your comments on this!

It's something that we have been bewildered by. Normally we have found the manners of the average American to be so much better than the average Brit - with the exception of table manners.

Do they really get taught that that is the way to use a knife and fork?