How to Eat with Fork & Knife (Etiquette Basics & Beyond)
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- Опубліковано 9 чер 2024
- Learn the methods of eating with a knife and fork properly, the basic rules, and the dos & don’ts: gentl.mn/eat-fork-knife-etiqu...
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00:00 Eating with Fork & Knife Introduction
When dining, you’re going to want to enjoy yourself, and the people you’re with, but with etiquette varying across continents, it’s easy to get confused. We talk about how to eat with a fork and knife properly so you don’t embarrass yourself and can focus on the company you have tableside.
01:35 American (Zig-Zag) Style
At the core, it means that you eat the majority of your food with your dominant hand and your fork only. While you eat with your dominant hand, your other hand rests on your lap or underneath the table. In Europe, that wouldn’t be considered proper at all.
07:02 Continental (European) Style
It’s used in most parts of the world, except, of course, the US. The important difference is that both the fork and the knife are held in both hands throughout the meal.
10:56 Which Style Is Better?
Ultimately, the choice of which style you choose is entirely yours; however, if you’re switching styles or if you’re planning to up your table manner game, we suggest you practice at home, so you become really comfortable, and it’s all second nature.
13:52 Pausing & Resting Your Fork & Knife
Table manners are not something that is universally adhered to. So, your staff may not have the proper training, and they may not recognize that this is what you’re trying to communicate. Again, it’s important for you to understand what surroundings you’re in. At a high-end hotel, they will certainly take that clue. At a low-brow establishment, maybe not.
15:32 How to Show You're Finished Eating
So, why are there really different styles to begin with? The Continental Style is older. The use of fork and knife to eat became standardized in the Western World in the 17th century. Ironically, the American Style was developed in France during the 18th century. At the time, it was thought it appeared more elegantly when one hand would rest while the other would do the eating. The cultural exchange between France and the US brought the style over to the US.
17:35 Cultural Differences in Fork and Knife Usage
Also keep in mind that etiquette can vary, not just based on the establishment you’re in, but also based on the type of food you eat.
21:47 Specialty Pieces: Salad Fork
22:37 Steak Knife
23:16 Bread Knife & Plate
24:55 A Word on Potatoes
26:01 Fish Cutlery
26:45 Dessert Fork
28:36 22 Fork & Knife Do’s & Don’ts:
1. Understand Your Surroundings
2. Don’t Eat With Your Knife
3. Give People A Chance To Eat
4. Use Quality Silverware
5. Don’t Use Plastic Utensils
6. Use A Firm Grip
7. Hold Your Fork & Knife Properly
8. Take Small To Moderate Bites
9. Don’t Use Your Fork Like A Shovel
10. Bring Your Fork To Your Mouth
11. No Elbows Or Arms On The Table
12. Don’t Slice Yur Food All AT Once
13. Use The Right Utensils For The Job
14. Request New Silverware When Needed
15. Don’t Make Excessive Noise With Silverware
16. Use Communal Flatware When Available
17. Rest Used Utensils On the Plate
18. Don’t Leave Half-Eaten Food On Fork
19. Don’t Gesture With Your Silverware
20. Allow Your Silverware To Be Taken Away
21. Don’t Hang Onto Your Silverware
22. Keep Leftover Sauce On Your Plate
If you’re interested in more etiquette guides, or other things in that vein, please share with us in the comments.
37:30 Outfit Rundown - Навчання та стиль
As an Indian who has eaten with my hand my entire life, this is godsend as I will be going to Europe and I would need to train myself to eat with cutlery. Thanks.
40 mints too long though!!.. need a crash course
@gergedibey2003why you guys assume so bad things about Indians
Tbh Indians are not like that
@@Yuvraj__24 like what?
well traditional eating with the hands (fingers scouping etc.) can also be observed in Europe in Indian restaurants by native Indians too, that actually doesn't strike me as so bad. Mind you, I think Indians here do use a knife and fork in non Indian restaurants. Since Indian dishes do have such great gravies/sauces it is understandable somehow, e.g. swiping the sauces with nan bread. Eating a schnitzel with Bratkartoffel and Gemüse would look rough though I think.
As a child my father instructed me in the eating of pea's. "Use it as a fork not a shovel" were his pearls of wisdom 😊 He was a stevedore at the London docks so he knew a lot about etiquette !
He didn't teach you proper use of the apostrophe though.
My grandmother taught me etiquette rules. I’m glad to say she would give you a passing grade 😂. I’m left handed so when I asked my grandmother she told me to use the Continental style (which was more British than Continental) which I use today and so do my kids, my wife still uses the zigzag style. Even my kids are surprised at how many adults don’t know some basic dining etiquette.
These etiquette videos are great. A specialist video on the different knives and forks would be good.
Great video! So many people need to watch this. It’s absurd on how people are so unaware of table manners. Keep it up!
As a Brit the us style seems insane
Oddly, being from the USA, yours seems insane, too.
I was born and raised in the United States and I’ve never used the US style. Seeing people eat US style is like watching a circus show
Brits need it simple
I am left handed, so naturally used the continental style.
Ultimate cope from the yanks with their barbarian etiquette 😂
His voice is so relaxing
Would love to see more videos like this. Also a video on all the different silverware pieces and how to use them would be great. I love all the videos you produce. They are informative as well as entertaining. Have been watching for over a year now.
LOVE the etiquette videos! Please make more!
I absolutly love that you are not taking yourselves to serious and throw in a "meme" here and there...
Love the etiquette videos!!👍🏻
Yes please. More etiquette videos. I am twenty-nine learning this material for the first time and I’m very much ready to finally grow up.
Please do a video on charger plates.
I was taught to use utensils the European way and that was proper etiquette. You know which hand to use by the placement of the utensils on a properly set table. I was always told that forks were popular in Europe first before coming to America. And when they came, the people here didn’t know how to use them. So being Americans, we came up with our own way of using them.
Yes I think you are correct there. The states were colonies for a long time and had basic agrarian economies whereas Europe was heavily urbanised and more sophisicated. Many things in the modern US are based on practises which were deemed old fashioned in Europe. The use of language illustrates this, such as faucet a word long out of use in Britain and there are many other examples.
Been watching Raphael since 2019 (and buying from you), I just have to say that I still prefer video done by you. It‘s just a type of personal charisma which I truly admire!❤
Thank you. It seems like everyone has their favorite host, that's why we have different ones 😉
Love your videos about manners. They are universal
Perfect English!
Oh god, the timing is perfect on this one!
Thank you for the review of table etiquette. I learned quite a few things I didn't know.
I can't express how much I appreciate these videos. Also love the acting that you occasionally show to demonstrate how not to do certain things lol
An excellent, educational video - thank you very much Raphael :)
As always, great video! I'm not sure many people really use the Zig-zag style. And I suspect a lot of Americans use a hybrid style where they don't do the fork down facing European thing but they also don''t switch hands to eat their food.
At the end, everyone probably mishmashes and that's how the world works. ;-)
Excellent etiquette video. I'd love to see more!
These videos are a great help reminder on dining ettiquette.
Don’t entirely agree with 36:54. In Italy they have a saying for using bread to pick up the left over sauce, it’s called fare la scarpetta. It symbolizes that the food was so good that you need to get the last bit and it’s a compliment to the chef
Congratulations on the video and more videos about the different knives and forks would be welcome.
Excellent video! I wanted and needed to learn how to use silverware for social occasions. Thank you, Sven, for an informative and yet easy-to-understand presentation. You have no doubt helped many people with information very important important to social life.
Great video as always. Thank you!
Yeah, I remember that old movie. I’ve watched it with my dad on TV when I was little. That little cultural trivia in that Spy Movie stuck to me, even when for a long time I forgot it’s title.
22:34 yes, I'd love a video where you explain all the different utensils. i am a student in the food and beverage service industry so it would help out a lot thank you:)
Information like this just not widely enough taught / available. I learned so many things I do (or should do 🤦♂) unconsciously on this video. Thanks for posting!
Learned so much from this video.
That was a lot of information. Thank you.
In my part of Northern India, we mostly use spoons, or forks and spoons, and very rarely use knives as cutlery (Not making a statement for any other part of the country!)
We do use them when we indulge in western cuisine, and certain southern Indian cuisines, but very rarely.
So, this is a very interesting peek into the way y'all eat.
As always, well done, GG!
Excellent content! very useful in these days, specially travelling abroad! :-)
Much needed refresher. Is it acceptable to switch between european and american styles while eating a meal?
It's amazing how all of this is learned unconsciously: I never realized that i had adopted the "zig-zag" style of eating until well into adulthood, and that no one had ever taught me to do so.
What strikes me now, though, is that if using the "American" style of *place setting* (which is also important), that it actually makes less sense to switch utensils in your hand than it does to simply keep the knife and/or spoon to the right and the forks to the left, just like you laid them out.
I've been waiting patiently for this video from you guys, as one of your other videos touches on the the subject! More please!
Also many people don't know (today) that American spies where nicked by the Germans (WWI) for they way they ate, while the Brits ate basically the same as the Germans, that's why the Brits were never (often) caught out by the Germans!
Your chanel is so good love watching your videos
Great video. Please do more about table etiquette, the different knives, forks and spoons, and the differences between US and other countries (in special, Germany and Austria)
Great stuff! Thanks brother
I’m American, but with the exception of when I was very young, I’ve always used the European style with cutlery. Especially and without exception in nicer restaurants. I wish more people could pay attention to these things. It seems so crude to me when people have eating styles like animals. The one dining protocol that I still struggle with to this day, is to not slightly lean in or over when bringing food to my mouth. With large single pieces of food such as fish, meat, or larger vegetables, this isn’t very difficult. But with food like rice, peas, or anything with a sauce that could drip, I’m always afraid that I won’t be able to keep the balance, and will drop food or drip something on my clothing or into my lap. So I lean slightly forward so that if this happens, it happens over my plate.
Yep- same.
To be completely honest, while I know not bending to your food is the rule, I think you're in the right. Eating should be polite, but it needn't be a display of dexterial agility. Not to mention that eating that way is an easy way to get sauce on your dress shirt or trousers. So long as you aren't hunching and are merely tilting, I think it's A-okay.
@@themoderndandy713 Well said, I completely concur.
@@MegaTubetiger Thank you!
More please!
Always love your video
I was amazed to see our use of the zigzag method wasn't just something we used in our family. Sorry to say it didn't really stick with our kids, but at least we tried.
Can you make a drinking etiquette? Like how to drink different types of wines, liquers and alčl the different glasses?
I would love to have a video of all the video suggestions you have pointed out.
Love your videos ♥
Nice work
American born, but learnt the Continental European Style from my family. Was mocked once for using Continental, but I perfer Continental because its much mannerable for me. Great video😊 😊😊
Jolly good show old boy.
Gentlemangrazzete pls a video on a good conversation on a table
Hi yes instruct in all ways. 💕🙏
I myself use the zigzag style but it's easier when I put the fork in my right hand and knife in left
Excellent ❤❤
BTW if it's possible I'd like to see an historical analysis on the evolution of the white tie, since it's changed a lot across the decades. Thanks a lot and keep up with your awesome job ❤️
As an indian i never have to worry about this. Use right hand wahtever you eat.
12:23 I'm used to seeing movie scenes but a meme is the last thing I can expect from GG's video! It was a really pleasant surprise.
Thank you so much for making this video! There wasn't much new information for me regarding table etiquette, but I really appreciated that you brought up the topic of the left/right non-dominant/dominant hand for the fork and the knife. In my life, multiple people have actually corrected and commented aloud on my etiquette since I use the fork in my right hand and the knife in the left - ironically the the act of calling a person out for this is extremely bad manners in my opinion and much more of a faux pas. Nontheless, these confrontations have made me insecure, especially in restaurant settings with new people. I am mostly right handed, yet I find this "opposite way" comes much more natural to me, could possible be since my left hand is more agile and stronger. I feel that this piece of table etiquette only exists because in the past using the left hand was deemed sinful and there's absolutely no logical reason for it, yet I find it hard to make my stance if I am confronted about it. Now I have at least something to back it up. This is my personal hill I'm going to die on - and may that death come with my knife in my leftie and the fork in my righty!
You're absolutely right that it's rude for people to point that out. There's a difference between etiquette and politeness - etiquette is the rules, and politeness is the fundamental way we treat others. There are too many who know the rules of etiquette but don't have the basic politeness to know not to make others feel bad for their breaches of the rules. It also demonstrates a lack of awareness on their part that some folk have different body idiosyncrasies, and that trumps rules of etiquette. If I were in your shoes, I'd just tell them that "my hands just don't work that way," or that this is "how I'm comfortable eating." Polite yet straight to the point and non-explanatory.
When improperly corrected, just say, "I didn't ask."
Failing that, simply give them a dirty look and hold it until it makes them uncomfortable.
I’m the exact same way!
Good stuff to know!
As a lefty, I would appreciate someone switching the silverware. I didn't even know that was allowed. I just adapted and worked around the right-handed prejudice.
Yes, cutlery episode :)
In many local, but excellent, restaurants in France and Switzerland, maybe other countries, you keep the same knife and fork for each course. I’ve never figured out how you are supposed to know but if I guess wrong the server either frowns and takes my knife and fork off the plate and puts it on the table or vice versa.
Tnx
Yes to table conversation topics please?
First we address the issue of the napkin, where it is placed.....on the lap or around the collar?
Then in order the purpose of the utensils, and their order of use on the table.
blind girl here. because of the inability to watch and copy others, I ate by grabbing the fork with my whole hand like a 4-year-old until today. Long story short thanks for this in-depth description of how to hold it properly. Everyone always just said hold it like a pencil, but as a blind girl I don't write in print. Once again I cannot thank you enough for helping me look a little more civilized
Table topics like a fun video. I would enjoy that.
Heck yeah do a video on forks and knives. We don’t want to be cads and bounders 😆
did not expect supa hot fire in a gg video, i am pleasantly surprised
Regarding how to communicate that you're done eating, the way I was taught was that any position of your fork and knife on the plate that is not the 4:20 poaition should communicate that you're not done. I can't remember a time this hasn't worked for me. Simple to remember too.
I didn't know that fork are different 😊,I have learned something,in Kenya when you're not enjoying wth 🍴 we just use our hands😂, thank you for this teachings🙏
Here in India, there is a different etiquette for eating Food with Hand and Fingers 🖐🏻, various cutleries and heavy after work cleaning those cutlery! Who cleans the dishes ? Machines ?
This advice will come in handy on my next visit to Applebee's!
My Silent Generation parents taught me great table etiquette, which I still remember today. I did learn a few new things here though, so thanks.
One point: you didn't mention spoons (aside from the dessert spoon). Some countries and regions are very soup and stew oriented, such as Czechia, Poland, and Russia. Czechs always eat soup as the starter for meals. As I recall, the large soup spoon goes on the right side of the plate, outside of the knives.
Soup spoons are presented with the soup. Proper tea spoons are presented with the tea/coffee service.
I had a friend from Canada once who would do that thing where he would cut up all the food first then put down the knife and eat with his fork. I live in the UK so it was the first time I've seen that
I've done that on occasion - but only if the food is served too hot. I especially do this at home when the meats have just come off the stove. Having sensory sensitivities, there're situations where, by the time everyone else has eaten, I'm just getting started after my food is no longer piping hot. It's not something I'm proud of, but the alternative is to have everyone else wait on me as I begin my dinner.
@@themoderndandy713 I appreciate this and the fact you've been open about it, thank you. I think guidelines around etiquette always come with caveats, either explicitly stated or implied, that sometimes we can't follow the guidelines to the letter for all kinds of reasons, and we just try to be as polite as we can given the circumstances using common sense, and in your case for instance it's very clear you're being considerate of other people and thinking of them
I was taught to use my fork to anchor things like steak, place the in front of the fork, and cut off a bite...then use my knife to remove my fork from the larger piece of meat so I could then use the fork to pick up & eat the bite I cut. Anchoring the meat keeps it from tipping over, rolling, or sliding around on the plate.
I noticed you used this method in the video but also used the method of putting the fork into the edge of the meat, cut behind the fork to remove just the bite & immediately use the fork to eat the bite.
Is one method preferred over the other? I'm an American & have seen the anchor method used by people with training in higher end restaurants and important/formal settings with the second method used in casual settings.
Great video! But what about the Italians and how to properly eat pasta at a restaurant? And what about the wine and other drinks?
I agree with this style of eating but I’m right handed and eat with my right hand. Forks on the left seem so odd to me.
Thank you for this! I have seen some pictures of cutlery placement on the plate after eating, i.e. crossing fork and knife to signal, "ready for the next plate" or interlock knife blade with the fork's tines to signal "I did not like this dish" I am from continental Europe and found this to be rather strange, even rude possibly.
That was Fun! I only have one thing I must report. Bread and Sauce... Or cleaning the plate with Bread. This is actually an Honored Tradition in the US Navy! And a defining indicator of Service. If you ever have dined with an Admiral from the US... To Not do so, is a slight to the men.
LOL my like pushed it to 1,000. You're welcome.
Is it ok to use the fork on your dominant hand and the knife on your non dominant hand. For me it would be Fork on my right hand and the knife of the left. Thank you😇
@22:00 Please let me know about the different silverware and how to properly use them.
He mentions that he will make a video of that, if there are enough requests. I would like to watch that too.
Excellent video Raphael!
What do you do if you are eating the salad after the main course and before dessert as is commonly done by the French, as they believe it aids the digestion process?
Thank you so much!
Lisa
The host will lay out the silverware appropriately.
@@gentlemansgazette Thank you very much!
Lisa
As an Italian the American style looks hilarious
I was (sadly) born and raised in the UK, but largely home-schooled due to ill-health, with mostly American-printed books, and of course, a lot of American TV shows. As a result, I think and write in American-English, not the King's English, and my mannerisms and outlook, to an observer, would be thought of as American. Never in my life, have I ever used a knife and fork in the English style. Much of the time, I rarely use the knife, mostly cutting my food with the edge of the tines of the fork, only ever using the knife to load the fork, or if cutting something like meat. I always hold and keep the fork in my right hand, and the knife in my left.
Being ambidextrous may be why I've always been able to do this without consciously thinking about it, as my, well, not 'dominant' hand, as I don't have one, but my *active* hand changes depending upon what I'm doing. If I'm using tools/shooting etc, I will use my right hand, because tools are almost universally designed for right-handed use, and I only write with my right hand purely by habit (I can write with my left hand, but not as neatly, simply due to the amount of time spent writing with my right hand). Other things, such as juggling, playing a guitar, a lot of unconscious gestures, etc, I automatically use my left hand, and if I am reaching for an item, I simply use whichever hand is closest to the item...
Sincerely, an Honorary-American 👍👍👍👍
It’s not clear if we should cut fish with a fork like the potato if the fish is tender enough to do so or if we need to use a knife. Can you help clarify?
Is it ok to cut the meat and then swapping fork and knife hands to eat it?
Dear ...
Pray, in the days to come, whilst thou art imparting knowledge, refrain from mingling manners. One small request...
May thou have a splendid day.
With kindest regards
When I stayed at a hotel in a small Japanese city, the hotel restaurant only had chopsticks to use.
Luckily, I brought my own fork and knife with me and used it everyday to eat at the hotel breakfast buffet.
The other guests and hotel staff pretended not to notice. LOL 😅
This explains why my husband eats differently than I do. I was taught by my Mom in Canada the American style and my husband's Mom was from England and taught him the European style.
I really like that you learned to incorporate more memes & jokes into your videos
In regard to your eating pace. I was taught that when you are a guest, you eat at the pace of the host. This can be tricky when the host, or the hosts partner, shovel their food in 😮🤣
in the old days you did not cut potatos bechause silver knives turn black on potatos.
American style or European style? I use both, according to the situation. My overriding consideration is how to get the food from the plate to my mouth with as little mess and spillage as possible. The US style can be simpler and more comfortable in some situations, but is limited in ensuring that food does not fall off the fork; the Euro style gives more control over the food by using the knife to shepherd some kinds of food onto the fork and keep it there.
You briefly touched on this after I was thinking it, but I’d love to see a video on cultural etiquette in some other countries besides Europe and the United States. For example, I’ve been to both Japan and China a few times, and there are etiquettes when using chopsticks, such as where to rest them during or after meals. Or slurping soups in Japan is considered good form, and actually serves to cool the soup when you bring it into your mouth. Or in India, most food as I understand it is eaten with your hands. But only with one particular hand, because generally speaking in Indian restrooms there is no toilet paper, and you use your other hand for that “business”. As a person who loves to travel and enjoys experiencing other cultures, I also love learning about all of these etiquettes and putting them into practice when I travel. Also, and may have been covered in another etiquette video of yours, but I absolutely despise cell phones in restaurants. I don’t even think they are necessary to have in your pocket, much less to pull them out and use them. I always leave my phone in my car when going into a restaurant. The experience is for the food and the company. Not for distractions like that. A few months back I was in a very nice restaurant, and a table of around 5 people across from me all had their cell phone flashlights on looking at their raised menus. It was incredibly distracting and rude seeing these 4-5 lights essentially aimed at my face. I occasionally looked over at the group, hoping they would see my distraction and turn these off, but it never worked. I may expect that of people in a low-end restaurant, but not a nicer and more expensive one.
There are probably other channels with etiquette for other cultures, although Hindu culture would be in Hindi.
@@Egilhelmson I'm sure there are and I could find some. Raphael just does a really good job with his videos, that it would be nice to see from him. That's all.
I've heard complaints from some people in the fine dining industry that when the lighting is too dim, as is a bit of a trend, one needs to use their flashlights to see the menu - particularly if they have poor eyesight. This is especially true in corner tables.
I use my cell phone quite a bit in restaurants, but I'm a solo diner. At the very least, if I get a phone call, I take it outside if possible. I take quite a bit of pleasure from eating an elegant dinner out while watching some UA-cam (with Bluetooth earbuds in, of course). When with company, though, the phone goes in my pocket for all but brief instances of sharing my poetry or pictures.
@@themoderndandy713 Well, I suppose I’m a bit of a traditionalist, but I just feel that lights of any kind shouldn’t be taken out in a restaurant. Be they from a cell phone or otherwise. Most nice restaurants have subdued lighting, and that should be expected. But if you are having trouble seeing the menu, simply tell your server and have them help you. But I’d still never bring my cell phone into a restaurant, or pull out a flashlight. That’s essentially telling the owners that you’re displeased with their lighting in the establishment, and rude.
@@cgimovieman I can see and appreciate your point. However, I have a couple of thoughts. Letting owners know that you're displeased with something in their restaurant is something most owners should not only accept but appreciate - only through being kindly told our mistakes can we improve. If enough people are using their flashlights to see the menus, the owners might get the hint and up the lighting to a dim-yet-tolerable level. It's better for the restaurant than leaving a negative review on Yelp.
Also, I'm not quite sure how the waiter could help much beyond reading off everything in the menu, which is quite cumbersome.
I can see, though, how bright lights could be distracting in a dim restaurant. It drives me a bit mad when someone in the audience has their phone out at the opera - even on minimal lighting in the orchestra section below.
I will and has always been eating food with the fork in my right hand. I cut with my left.
Sometimes depending on the food, I eat with a spoon because it's easier than using the fork (food falling off). 🤪
In Spain it is proper etiquette to keep your hands and wrists on the table seen and also to clean the plate with a piece of bread.
Great video as usual. As I am currently living in Miami and summer is around the corner, would you be so kind to make a video about formal dressing in warm weather? Thank you