Nobody clears their plate.

[singlecoil]

It's a thing I've noticed, especially on US derived TV and films, see it quite a bit on UK stuff. A meal or snack, it might be nothing more than danish pastries, has been had and the conversation continues. Every single person at the table has a plate in front of them and every plate has some uneaten food on it. It even happens when the person has dished it up for themselves.

I don't care whether they eat their food or not, but it does irritate when the same thing is seen time and time again.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

It's not just me then!

It bugs me when people are in the pub (remember them?) and they don't finish their beer! 'Er indoors gets proper annoyed when I (always) point it out.

[Heartworm]

singlecoil said:

It's a thing I've noticed, especially on US derived TV and films, see it quite a bit on UK stuff. A meal or snack, it might be nothing more than danish pastries, has been had and the conversation continues. Every single person at the table has a plate in front of them and every plate has some uneaten food on it. It even happens when the person has dished it up for themselves.

I don't care whether they eat their food or not, but it does irritate when the same thing is seen time and time again.

In the US its common for portions to be of a size that you won't finish as that way you are not possibly leaving a guest to go hungry,

[Simpo Two]

Probably because they have to do 20 takes!

Interesting to note that there's an increasing trend - I suspect started across the pond - to have the knife and fork the wrong way round. Right hand is fork for shovelling; left hand is a curiously-held-knife for when the meal is more complicated than a burger...

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Simpo Two said:

Probably because they have to do 20 takes!

Interesting to note that there's an increasing trend - I suspect started across the pond - to have the knife and fork the wrong way round. Right hand is fork for shovelling; left hand is a curiously-held-knife for when the meal is more complicated than a burger...

I'm left handed, and it's logical to shovel with my left. I've always wondered why righties use their left.

[Gary C]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Simpo Two said:

Probably because they have to do 20 takes!

Interesting to note that there's an increasing trend - I suspect started across the pond - to have the knife and fork the wrong way round. Right hand is fork for shovelling; left hand is a curiously-held-knife for when the meal is more complicated than a burger...

I'm left handed, and it's logical to shovel with my left. I've always wondered why righties use their left.

More control over the knife ?

More strength & control to cut tough meat ?

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Gary C said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Simpo Two said:

Probably because they have to do 20 takes!

Interesting to note that there's an increasing trend - I suspect started across the pond - to have the knife and fork the wrong way round. Right hand is fork for shovelling; left hand is a curiously-held-knife for when the meal is more complicated than a burger...

I'm left handed, and it's logical to shovel with my left. I've always wondered why righties use their left.

More control over the knife ?

More strength & control to cut tough meat ?

I never use a knife either, that does make me weird I know.

[2gins]

O/t perhaps but I'm very much right handed but the first thing I do after thinking the baby Jesus for this delicious slice of cow is switch the cutlery and use the fork in right hand. No idea why, done it forever, it just works.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Gary C said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Simpo Two said:

Probably because they have to do 20 takes!

Interesting to note that there's an increasing trend - I suspect started across the pond - to have the knife and fork the wrong way round. Right hand is fork for shovelling; left hand is a curiously-held-knife for when the meal is more complicated than a burger...

I'm left handed, and it's logical to shovel with my left. I've always wondered why righties use their left.

More control over the knife ?

More strength & control to cut tough meat ?

What about eating cornflakes with a spoon?

[Gary C]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Gary C said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Simpo Two said:

Probably because they have to do 20 takes!

Interesting to note that there's an increasing trend - I suspect started across the pond - to have the knife and fork the wrong way round. Right hand is fork for shovelling; left hand is a curiously-held-knife for when the meal is more complicated than a burger...

I'm left handed, and it's logical to shovel with my left. I've always wondered why righties use their left.

More control over the knife ?

More strength & control to cut tough meat ?

What about eating cornflakes with a spoon?

What an odd thing !, yes I fork with the left and spoon with the right !

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Gary C said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Gary C said:

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

Simpo Two said:

Probably because they have to do 20 takes!

Interesting to note that there's an increasing trend - I suspect started across the pond - to have the knife and fork the wrong way round. Right hand is fork for shovelling; left hand is a curiously-held-knife for when the meal is more complicated than a burger...

I'm left handed, and it's logical to shovel with my left. I've always wondered why righties use their left.

More control over the knife ?

More strength & control to cut tough meat ?

What about eating cornflakes with a spoon?

What an odd thing !, yes I fork with the left and spoon with the right !

Just as I thought, all right handed people are weirdos

[Cold]

In some cultures (such as in Japan) clearing the plate can be an insult to the host as it suggests the guest hasn't been served enough food.
So maybe the filmmakers are covering those bases for when the film is released there?
In the UK/EU/USA it isn't a big deal, just an annoyance for "movie mistake" enthusiasts but can be seen as rude in other markets?

As for the knife and fork, the right hand should always be the one holding the blade. This goes back to times of sword wielding and dagger fights. It's no coincidence that the proliferation of sword fighting and the popularity of witch burning petered out around the same time of the rise in left-handed oddness...

[Riley Blue]

Heartworm said:

In the US its common for portions to be of a size that you won't finish as that way you are not possibly leaving a guest to go hungry,

In the UK we have 'seconds' which, if not requested, remain for a future meal.

[singlecoil]

Heartworm said:

In the US its common for portions to be of a size that you won't finish as that way you are not possibly leaving a guest to go hungry,

But that wouldn't explain why it's also seen when people have dished their own food up themselves.

[G_Morto]

Even worse when it’s clearly a fake loaf that never gets touched or very bland food.

Friday Night Dinner comes to mind where you never see a drop of gravy being used

[irocfan]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

I never use a knife either, that does make me weird I know.

I'm of the I'll use my fork in the right hand brigade. If I've got to cut the meat I'll then switch the fork to the right once the cutting has been done - drives my mother nuts!

[zygalski]

It's like in shows where they pick up the most minuscule bit of food from the plate to nibble on. I know it's only telly, but it's just so unrealistic.

[The Mad Monk]

Heartworm said:

In the US its common for portions to be of a size that you won't finish as that way you are not possibly leaving a guest to go hungry,

Too many negatives in there. What does it mean?

[Jasandjules]

I seem to recall some soap star or other saying they used to use proper beer etc but after a while they all got pi***ed as farts with the multiple stakes so they had to change it.

[Simpo Two]

Gary C said:

More control over the knife ?

More strength & control to cut tough meat ?

Yes, because shovelling is a modern and most slovenly way to consume food! You even see people trying one-handed to cut meat with the side of a fork

The most dexterous hand (maybe sinisterous if you're left-handed, doh) wields the knife because that's the bit that needs the precision. The left hand - fork - is just to pin the beast down.