tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30988056.post7363513076060501481..comments2023-12-25T10:47:28.707-05:00Comments on Work of the Poet: How to Use a Knife and Forkmaryt/theteachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17516961981692076719noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30988056.post-54127556684138770422011-09-28T12:42:11.439-04:002011-09-28T12:42:11.439-04:00In the picture: bread should be sliced and served ...In the picture: bread should be sliced and served in a shallow bowl, knife should be on the plate, fork is tines-down, cigar doesn't belong on the table nor do the matchbook, spent match, ashes or the wine corkscrew or wine bottles. The cognac decantor is ok.<br /><br />I grew up in the U.S. and was taught the American eating style. After observing my British daughter-in-law using the continental style I'm teaching myself that style as I think it is more efficient and certainly more graceful!<br /><br />Thanks for posring a clear description.oldgold33https://www.blogger.com/profile/11338069880690493229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30988056.post-14207994849967183952010-09-01T19:24:41.905-04:002010-09-01T19:24:41.905-04:00I was taught the American use of the knife and for...I was taught the American use of the knife and fork. But it wasn't until I was a History Major in college did I know why Americans use their knife and fork the American way. It dates back to the American War of Independence. People in the 13 colonies were either Patriots or Loyalists (loyal to the King of England). When the Patriots were out riding around America drumming up support for the Revolution they needed a way to tell who were the Patriots and who were the Loyalists. So the American way of using a knife and fork was born! And to quote Paul Harvey..."and now you know the rest of the story!"Nancynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30988056.post-21368606380592154752010-02-13T08:27:01.671-05:002010-02-13T08:27:01.671-05:00The interesting thing about this for is the fact t...The interesting thing about this for is the fact that if I start to do this, either American OR Continental, I'll probably spend so much time thinking about it that I'll eat less and lose a few pounds! I'll try it. Besides, my fingertips won't get so greasy using the utensils.<br />Now, is that a three or four tined fork?<br /><br />Peace to all.Spadomanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17781369901345409341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30988056.post-52900707815034203852010-02-11T13:17:07.366-05:002010-02-11T13:17:07.366-05:00I, too, was taught by my mother the Proper Way To ...I, too, was taught by my mother the Proper Way To Eat at Table. When I married a European, he kindly (!) introduced the Other Way which I admit is more elegant.Stephanie Vhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03206167025245206754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30988056.post-33531022448283378722010-02-11T09:35:35.722-05:002010-02-11T09:35:35.722-05:00I was taught the continental (British) way. I'...I was taught the continental (British) way. I'm amazed at how many people don't know how to use a knife and fork - it was very evident on the cruise - people holding their knife and fork like building tools rather than eating implements. I just can't watch, it winds me up!Akelamaluhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11234268568845148285noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30988056.post-39087663855558818102010-02-11T08:42:32.326-05:002010-02-11T08:42:32.326-05:00I love the waiter signals.. I do the finish signal...I love the waiter signals.. I do the finish signal.Queen-Size funny bonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14134308455271808356noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30988056.post-39961291569525221112010-02-11T07:03:16.909-05:002010-02-11T07:03:16.909-05:00My father was taught to eat by his European parent...My father was taught to eat by his European parents (who admitted to thinking that Americans ate like barbarians) while my mother was taught by her American-born ones.<br /><br />This became a real source of (only semi goodhearted) contention when it was time to teach the children how to feed themselves. We ended up eating basically continental style (no fork switching) but we do keep the fork right side up for things that would otherwise fall off ;).<br /><br />As for the photo, there should definitely not be dirty flatware on the table, and obviously the cigarette hanging off the edge is a no-no.Robinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02409530202277375625noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30988056.post-4412567811527534862010-02-11T05:30:20.180-05:002010-02-11T05:30:20.180-05:00Now, so this is why the Americans eat "tines-...Now, so this is why the Americans eat "tines- up".<br />I've always wondered, but am ashamed to admit, I never caught the Fork switching moment.<br />I eat Continental, which can be tricky, when small green peas keep falling off the backside of the fork.<br />Guess the Americans have a more practical attitude to "good manners"<br />Get the food where it is supposed to go.Felisol https://www.blogger.com/profile/12240191154632603841noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30988056.post-13146060245297325602010-02-11T04:45:16.142-05:002010-02-11T04:45:16.142-05:00It's absolutely right, lol ! and it is very im...It's absolutely right, lol ! and it is very impolite to the ellbow on the table and arms in your lap. I have read several times in European Newspapers that Americans have no table manners, even personalities. Because they simply ignore that you have them but different !Gattinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06636525277807715146noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30988056.post-61373061014878949232010-02-11T02:56:09.094-05:002010-02-11T02:56:09.094-05:00I always dislike how waiters rush the dishes off t...I always dislike how waiters rush the dishes off the table while others at the table are still eating. So rude of them.Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30988056.post-7144052132799356772010-02-11T00:07:29.026-05:002010-02-11T00:07:29.026-05:00Gosh! I don't do any of it properly.
Well......Gosh! I don't do any of it properly.<br /><br />Well...I do get the food in my mouth without spilling it down my front. So I guess that's something.Travis Codyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06192526507760146748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30988056.post-78905226459700141072010-02-10T20:18:28.931-05:002010-02-10T20:18:28.931-05:00You would be amazed at how many people don't h...You would be amazed at how many people don't hold their flatware properly, grasping knives and forks like one would hold a railroad spike or billy club.<br /><br />That's a peeve of mine.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30988056.post-44051510055190747222010-02-10T18:21:52.193-05:002010-02-10T18:21:52.193-05:00I remember table etiquette too! And the "no e...I remember table etiquette too! And the "no elbows on the table" rule! And the waiting till everyone was seated to begin eating!<br />All old-fashioned now, but I think they were quite good practices.<br /><br />There would have been no cigars or used matches on the table, and the fork would certainly not have been on the plate while the knife was on the table. And as for the loaf of bread on the table? Definitely not! Nor wine bottles either!<br />That's enough to start with...Mimihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08100985140335023467noreply@blogger.com