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Jul 9, 2012 | 1:13 pm

#16

nerd

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Quote:

Originally Posted by biancathedog

I am Canadian any father has always pushed us to eat with the fork in the left hand and the knife in the rights. Immigrated to the US and have always wondered why Americans do the fork knife switcheroo. I do tend to use a spoon for most deserts though.

This is the most bizarre thing IMO.

But, I'm a lefty so fork-in-left-hand works naturally for me.

Jul 9, 2012 | 1:25 pm

#17

stevenshev

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Quote:

Originally Posted by nerd

This is the most bizarre thing IMO.

But, I'm a lefty so fork-in-left-hand works naturally for me.

Let's not generalize. Not Americans...just Americans who were never taught basic etiquette. Always makes me cringe when friends/dates do that. I've made comments a few times.

Jul 9, 2012 | 1:52 pm

#18

nerd

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Quote:

Originally Posted by stevenshev

Let's not generalize. Not Americans...just Americans who were never taught basic etiquette. Always makes me cringe when friends/dates do that. I've made comments a few times.

I never considered it to be bad etiquette, but if so, I'd put it in that gray area of etiquette that's more about following arbitrary rules rather than about being nice to others.

I never would I comment to a friend/date though - that is bad etiquette.

Jul 9, 2012 | 2:08 pm

#19

stevenshev

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Quote:

Originally Posted by nerd

I never would I comment to a friend/date though - that is bad etiquette.

Touché.

Jul 9, 2012 | 2:30 pm

#20

emma69

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Quote:

Originally Posted by stevenshev

Let's not generalize. Not Americans...just Americans who were never taught basic etiquette. Always makes me cringe when friends/dates do that. I've made comments a few times.

I rarely came across that habit in dates, being a Brit, but the one that I did find annoying to watch is when people hold their knife as though it were a pen. I wouldn't say anything, but it grates!

Jul 9, 2012 | 3:15 pm

#21

MIT_SBM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by stevenshev

Let's not generalize. Not Americans...just Americans who were never taught basic etiquette. Always makes me cringe when friends/dates do that. I've made comments a few times.

I don't care which utensil my date or friends use to eat just as long as they keep their mouth shut while chewing. I am not a big fan of looking at masticated food.

Jul 10, 2012 | 10:02 am

#22

dd992emo

Join Date: Sep 2004

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Quote:

Originally Posted by biancathedog

The only people I know personally who obsess about this are all Euroweenies. My MIL is the worst...

Jul 11, 2012 | 12:29 pm

#23

Fornebufox

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Table etiquette really is local. I strongly doubt that I'll ever learn to peel and eat an orange with a knife and fork, the way I saw it done in South America.

Jul 11, 2012 | 12:46 pm

#24

9Benua

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Quote:

Originally Posted by braslvr

I think the Thai style is awesome, especially where rice is concerned. Large spoon in right hand, fork in left hand used to help load spoon. Instantly comfortable for me the first time I tried it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasp25

Thai style, or you meant Filipino style? Filipinos eat with spoon and fork --- looks odd but very efficient.

Quote:

Originally Posted by braslvr

I've seen and done it in the Philippines too, but much more often in Thailand.

You both are wrong, This is Indonesian Style

and if you eat rice + fried food, then you can eat by hand, no utensils needed

Quote:

Originally Posted by klashn

I do everything the opposite way, and they scold me for not following custom!
Even then, eating with fork and knife or spoons is something we don't do... all hands, all the time! (India)

Jul 12, 2012 | 4:56 pm

#25

CMK10

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One of these days I'm going to invent the sporkife which will have a knife blade on the side. You'll have to sign a waiver before you buy one though in case you cut through your own damn mouth while using it.

Jul 13, 2012 | 8:47 am

#26

crabbing

Join Date: Mar 2006

Posts: 1,656

CMK10, my friend in indianapolis has beat you to it. i don't know what it was called, but it's metal and looks at first glance like a rectangular spoon or a fork with short prongs. one edge is sharp enough to use as a regular table knife, but not so great at cutting meat.

Jul 13, 2012 | 10:29 am

#27

emma69

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Quote:

Originally Posted by crabbing

Hate to tell you, but Admiral Nelson beat your friend to it by a few centuries. He developed a knife/fork combo after losing his arm!No word on whether he cut himself eating with it tho!

Jul 13, 2012 | 2:54 pm

#28

goodeats21

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Quote:

Originally Posted by braslvr

I think the Thai style is awesome, especially where rice is concerned. Large spoon in right hand, fork in left hand used to help load spoon. Instantly comfortable for me the first time I tried it.

^
Perfectly said and I agree 100%

Jul 13, 2012 | 5:48 pm

#29

quick_dry

Join Date: Nov 2011

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Quote:

Originally Posted by emma69

I rarely came across that habit in dates, being a Brit, but the one that I did find annoying to watch is when people hold their knife as though it were a pen. I wouldn't say anything, but it grates!

Especially as they struggle to cut through something a little bit tough, I'm itching to just jump in there and 'hold it like this'. It irks me as much as chewing with your mouth open.

But I'm also that weirdo who prefers using a cake fork where appropriate.

Jul 13, 2012 | 5:57 pm

#30

Bttc

Join Date: Jan 2012

Location: ORD

Posts: 986

I like the way the Japanese eat curry. One big spoon. All you need.

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