Why do some people eat with their fork upside down? And when did that start?

[Dan Murphy]

It's all in the title.

I learned to use a fork the normal, at least the previous normal, with the tines up instead of down, also sort of replicating a spoon effect. When I see somebody using the fork upside down, I am thinking the food is going to fall off their fork. It seems like it is usually younger people eating with the upside down fork method.

I do have to admit, I have not seen this for almost a year now, no restaurant eating since last February.

 

[Kittyblue]

I've seen people using their fork tines down occasionally, but for the most part I've seen people use it tines up, the right way

 

[kanerf]

This is common in Europe and with Europeans.

 

[AndreaDM]

I scoop with tines up, spear with tines down. If I’m eating something like a steak with a knife in the other hand, tines are down.

 

[Mrs. Ciz]

Isn’t it the European method of using silverware? Knife in right hand, fork upside down in left hand. Then you just cut the meat and put it in your mouth with the left hand upside down fork instead of putting the knife down, changing the fork to the right hand right side up. As for peas or potatoes or whatever, you push the food onto your upside down fork with your knife.

 

[Mysterian]

I agree with AndreaDM.

I think the bigger story is the David vs Goliath tale of Mandy Barrow, whose powerful fork photos went up against the likes of Shutterstock and Corbis.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

This is common in Europe and with Europeans.

This. I started eating that way after my first trip to Europe. Much more fluid/efficient in movement.

 

[Pixie Dusted Snow]

I believe in the UK that's how people use a fork and in the US more people are trying it out to see if they like it better.
People in the UK say people in the US are essentially using it as a spoon instead of a fork.

 

[Dan Murphy]

As for peas or potatoes or whatever, you push the food onto your upside down fork with your knife.

How do peas stay on an upside down fork? Don't they just keep rolling off? I have a hard enough time with the fork right side up.

 

[low-key]

stop this craziness

 

[Pixie Dusted Snow]

How do peas stay on an upside down fork? Don't they just keep rolling off? I have a hard enough time with the ford right side up.

Grab a spoon lol.
I do think upside down would work well for items you can just stab like a piece of chicken.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Grab a spoon

At home, I do. If I am out, I try to have better manners. At home, I'll use a table spoon for most anything, most efficient.

 

[RedAngie]

I always heard of it referred to as the Continental style.

 

[NYCgrrl]

It's all in the title.

I learned to use a fork the normal, at least the previous normal, with the tines up instead of down, also sort of replicating a spoon effect. When I see somebody using the fork upside down, I am thinking the food is going to fall off their fork. It seems like it is usually younger people eating with the upside down fork method.

I do have to admit, I have not seen this for almost a year now, no restaurant eating since last February.

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The ex is French and that was his manner of utensil utilization. Our children spent much of their early lives in Europe and mostly used the Euro style until their return to USA. One of my children has spent most of his professional life in Europe and uses whatever method gets the food into his gullet faster, LOL.

 

[Dan Murphy]

I always heard of it referred to as the Continental style.

I wonder what gave it its impetus. I'm 76 years old. Have only noticed this new way for maybe 5 years now. 70 years the regular way, 5 years the new way.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I wonder what gave it its impetus. I'm 76 years old. Have only noticed this new way for maybe 5 years now. 70 years the regular way, 5 years the new way.

Maybe it’s the “cool of the unusual“ factor?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Maybe it’s the “cool of the unusual“ factor?

I think you are on to something there.

 

[ncc1701]

The Scots side of my family usually ate that way. But the US side obviously did not. I switch between the two depending on what I am eating .
As for peas (I don't care for them ) using the knife I seen my relatives get them on their fork .

 

[Pixie Dusted Snow]

At home, I do. If I am out, I try to have better manners. At home, I'll use a table spoon for most anything, most efficient.

I use a spoon for anything that is difficult to get with a fork. If eating out I actually think its better to use a spoon than chase your food or drop it...

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

I use the fork as needed. Scoop em up. Spear em down.

Two handers tend to eat many more things fork down. One handers, even after cutting steak, tend to scoop it.