cutlery technique

[Blown2CV]

cutlery in wrong hands - retarded? Does it matter?
forks being held in fists, knives held like pens, using knives for holding food and ripping it with forks... why do so many people use cutlery wrongly? It's like grammar in my opinion, people don't see the point in bothering to get it right. However, they are tools to do a job, why would you not want to get it right?

[Pixel-Snapper]

I'm a powerfully built dainty knife and fork holding dictator kinda guy.

The misses - she's a fork in right hand ham fisted kinda gal.

But there's no telling her. Her ways the right way.

[Cheib]

Blown2CV said:

It's like grammar in my opinion, people don't see the point in bothering to get it right.

This.

I think it's one of those things people get judged on. Turn up for a business dinner and people using their knife and fork like a two year old get judged by it. US is really bad for it in my opinion...I would say in the UK it was historically seen as a "class" thing...hold your knife like a pen ? You're from the wrong side of the tracks.

[Blown2CV]

Pixel-Snapper said:

I'm a powerfully built dainty knife and fork holding dictator kinda guy.

The misses - she's a fork in right hand ham fisted kinda gal.

But there's no telling her. Her ways the right way.

same as Mrs 2CV!

[Blown2CV]

Cheib said:

Blown2CV said:

It's like grammar in my opinion, people don't see the point in bothering to get it right.

This.

I think it's one of those things people get judged on. Turn up for a business dinner and people using their knife and fork like a two year old get judged by it. US is really bad for it in my opinion...I would say in the UK it was historically seen as a "class" thing...hold your knife like a pen ? You're from the wrong side of the tracks.

just come back from germany and you could spot the yank tourists... well the ones that didn't eat in mcdonalds and the st chain steak houses but even the 'better' ones were still bad. Lots of forks held vertically in fists, pinning down a piece of meat.

[obob]

Blown2CV said:

cutlery in wrong hands - retarded? Does it matter?
forks being held in fists, knives held li7ke pens, using knives for holding food and ripping it with forks... why do so many people use cutlery wrongly? It's like grammar in my opinion, people don't see the point in bothering to get it right. However, they are tools to do a job, why would you not want to get it right?

I do the job just fine thanks. Holding the fork in ny right hand, scooping peas all that other bks and yet I still get the food in mouth without spilling any.

Amazing isn't it.

[Blown2CV]

obob said:

Blown2CV said:

cutlery in wrong hands - retarded? Does it matter?
forks being held in fists, knives held li7ke pens, using knives for holding food and ripping it with forks... why do so many people use cutlery wrongly? It's like grammar in my opinion, people don't see the point in bothering to get it right. However, they are tools to do a job, why would you not want to get it right?

I do the job just fine thanks. Holding the fork in ny right hand, scooping peas all that other bks and yet I still get the food in mouth without spilling any.

Amazing isn't it.

you could probably manage to eat a plate of peas (eventually) using two knives too though. There's a difference between 'getting by' and etiquette.

[obob]

Blown2CV said:

you could probably manage to eat a plate of peas (eventually) using two knives too though. There's a difference between 'getting by' and etiquette.

No, you said doing the job properly. It is easier to eat peas by scooping them up, but you just want to make sure yoy uphold your middle class status by not doing so.

[TonyHetherington]

Blown2CV said:

just come back from germany and you could spot the yank tourists... well the ones that didn't eat in mcdonalds and the st chain steak houses but even the 'better' ones were still bad. Lots of forks held vertically in fists, pinning down a piece of meat.

Don't forget their penchant for using a fork as a knife.

Nor their desire to cut up many bits, place down cutlery, then pick up the fork with the right hand.

But, that's their thing so let them do it.

It is distinguishing, I think. Table manners are very important - whether it be at home with your family or a business meal with the big boss. Those who don't have proper manners will be noticed. It may have zero bearing on their future in a company. Equally, the OP of this thread may be the big boss and thus it does.

[Mobile Chicane]

I eat my peas by scooping them up. Mashing them against the back of the fork is just stupid.

I eat a burger with a knife and fork, but curry with my hands.

[Davey S2]

Blown2CV said:

Lots of forks held vertically in fists, pinning down a piece of meat.

Staggers me how the Americans can put a man on the moon but can't use a knife and fork correctly.

In laws hold their knives like pens and it winds me up.

[tedmus]

Fork in right hand, knife in left hand, always have done, feels natural to me that way.

Also wear a watch on my right wrist.

[22s]

Blown2CV said:

cutlery in wrong hands - retarded? Does it matter?
forks being held in fists, knives held like pens, using knives for holding food and ripping it with forks... why do so many people use cutlery wrongly? It's like grammar in my opinion, people don't see the point in bothering to get it right. However, they are tools to do a job, why would you not want to get it right?

I remember watching the Apprentice a few years ago and there was a toff on it from some rah rah school in Chelsea, and he said the worst thing about school was that they indoctrinated the students with the mantra "HKLP" - Hold Knife Like Pen.

So I'm curious - what is the "correct" way to hold the knife?

[craigjm]

TonyHetherington said:

Don't forget their penchant for using a fork as a knife.

Nor their desire to cut up many bits, place down cutlery, then pick up the fork with the right hand.

But, that's their thing so let them do it.

It is distinguishing, I think. Table manners are very important - whether it be at home with your family or a business meal with the big boss. Those who don't have proper manners will be noticed. It may have zero bearing on their future in a company. Equally, the OP of this thread may be the big boss and thus it does.

This always makes me laugh. They look like they are preparing food for a baby and then eat it themselves.

[Pixel-Snapper]

22s said:

So I'm curious - what is the "correct" way to hold the knife?

http://www.wikihow.com/Use-a-Fork-and-Knife-Properly

According to google.

This is how I do mine by the way.

But fork in right hand when scoping peas.

[Mobile Chicane]

22s said:

Blown2CV said:

cutlery in wrong hands - retarded? Does it matter?
forks being held in fists, knives held like pens, using knives for holding food and ripping it with forks... why do so many people use cutlery wrongly? It's like grammar in my opinion, people don't see the point in bothering to get it right. However, they are tools to do a job, why would you not want to get it right?

I remember watching the Apprentice a few years ago and there was a toff on it from some rah rah school in Chelsea, and he said the worst thing about school was that they indoctrinated the students with the mantra "HKLP" - Hold Knife Like Pen.

So I'm curious - what is the "correct" way to hold the knife?

I've only ever heard 'HKLP' used in the derogatory sense, as in

<sneer>

"Oooh look, over there - HKLP."

</sneer>

[ambuletz]

feels odd to me to lift food to my mouth with the fork/spoon in my left hand. It's fine if its a piece of food that ive cut off like meat etc.. But for things like rice, or peas or whatnot it just feels more comfortable for me to switch and use my right hand.

[DocArbathnot]

I once saw a Frenchman (all suited, booted and out to impress a female) eat a whole dish of moule with a knife and fork.

[Blown2CV]

well just as grammar polarises opinion in internet forums, evidently so does cutlery usage.

Group 1 - correct according to etiquette
Group 2 - 'we don't care, it feels better to US OK??'

The right and the not caring about being wrong!

[SeldomSeenKid]

This is one of my pet hates in life. More than once I've had people question the way I hold cutlery when I'm eating.
The worst was a few years ago, when I was staying at a hotel, a guest at the table next to me questioned why I wasn't using a knife to cut my food, and went into a spiel saying that it was 'improper' or some other such bs.
I explained that I have cerebral palsy, which affects my left hand/arm, so that was the reason I wasn't using a knife, as I find it difficult to hold it to allow me to cut food. She suddenly went all apologetic after that.

I've got my own way of doing it, it might be considered the 'wrong' way, and i appreciate to others, it may look awkward as i do it largely one-handed, but it's my way!