# Americans - are fries and bacon always finger food? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 6, 2005, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-are-fries-and-bacon-always-finger-food/329794 "2005-11-06T15:16:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![E.Thorp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@E.Thorp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E.Thorp)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-are-fries-and-bacon-always-finger-food/329794/21 "2005-11-06T17:41:22Z")
In my pre-vegetarian days I always ate bacon with my fingers. Fries: usually with a fork, occasionally with my fingers. Cutting up the entire piece of steak before eating: I’ve lived in the USA my whole life and never seen a grown man or woman do this, so this thread surprises me a bit. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-are-fries-and-bacon-always-finger-food/329794/22 "2005-11-06T18:15:41Z")
The only time I eat fries with a fork is when I’m really hungry and want to shovel a whole pile into my mouth without looking too uncivilized. I’ll stab as many as my fork will allow. Typically to shove that many into my mouth with my hand would look pretty disgusting (Some might argue shoveling that many fries into my mouth regardless of means is disgusting. I say, hey, at least I’m using a fork.) ---
**Author:** ![Stratocaster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stratocaster/32/16393_2.png) [@Stratocaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stratocaster)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-are-fries-and-bacon-always-finger-food/329794/23 "2005-11-06T18:22:52Z")
If I’m at home alone, _everything_ becomes finger food if it’s fighting me too much. Sometimes it’s just a hybrid: I use the side of my finger to push the last bit of noodles onto my fork. _::belch!::_ It’s not something I’m proud of. If I’m out somewhere with non-family members, I often wait to see what someone else does with his bacon, then I may well follow his lead. I don’t have the courage of my bacon convictions, I’ll admit. Fries are always finger food, unless it’s with co-workers and you order an appetizer of chili/cheese-covered fries, in which case I only use my fingers if the crowd establishes that this is the ruling convention at that meal. I’m quite the follower when it comes to certain matters of etiquette. I _always_ extend my pinkies when I take a slurp from a bowl, however; so I should definitely get points for that. ---
**Author:** ![lorinada](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b5e925/32.png) [@lorinada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorinada)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-are-fries-and-bacon-always-finger-food/329794/24 "2005-11-06T18:35:01Z")
I only eat fries with my fingers when I’m at a fast food place that typically offers no flatware. Otherwise I eat it with a fork becuase I don’t like getting all the grease, salt, and whatever topping I may have all over my fingers. I usually use a lot of napkins at a fast food joint because of this. So I wonder why I’ve always eaten bacon with my fingers? ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-are-fries-and-bacon-always-finger-food/329794/25 "2005-11-06T19:03:13Z")
Bacon = fingers. Period. I don’t care what it’s wrapped around…fingers. Fries = fingers. The only exception is chili cheese fries from The Hat in Montclair, which weigh 3 lbs. and would give a gorilla cardiac arrest. Those I eat with a fork. Of course, I also usually eat without shifting my fork, either. Never saw why we 'Merkins do that. Damned inefficient if you ask me. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-are-fries-and-bacon-always-finger-food/329794/26 "2005-11-06T19:33:22Z")
> [@Mr. Blue Sky](#): > > Sigh…is _this_ unsophisticated, too? No, it just means your eating cold steak. Which I guess is pretty unsophisticated. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-are-fries-and-bacon-always-finger-food/329794/27 "2005-11-06T19:56:18Z")
> [@Thudlow Boink](#): > > Yes, **Mr. Blue Sky** , I’ve heard that rules of etiquette dictate that one cut off one bite from a piece of meat and eat that bite before cutting the next. But I’ve never understood _why_. Can anyone provide a rationale? At a guess, to keep the steak hot; the increased surface area of a cut steak will make it cool faster. Me, I just microwave it if it gets cold. For me fries and bacon are not only finger food, I had no idea anybody did it differently. > [@Lynn Bodoni](#): > > Ribs are meant to be eaten with the fingers. One is allowed to slice a slab of ribs with a knife and fork, but after that, one is supposed to pick up the individual ribs and eat the meat off the bone. REAL barbecue is supposed to be messy. I always try to have a kitchen or hand towel handy when eating barbecue. Yes ! It’s not ribs if you don’t gnaw the flesh from the bone ! Now I’m hungry… ---
**Author:** ![A.R.Cane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee7513/32.png) [@A.R.Cane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/A.R.Cane)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-are-fries-and-bacon-always-finger-food/329794/28 "2005-11-06T20:15:26Z")
First time I ever had fish & chips, Gibralter 1959, I was quite surprised to discover that “chips” were french fries (that’s how I’ve managed to remember such a trivial incident for so long). These were served in a kind of cone made of newspaper and were sprinkled w/ vinegar and salt. It was a sidewalk shop as I recall and I ate the meal w/ my fingers while walking and enjoying the sights. ---
**Author:** ![the\_brave\_navel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ee59a6/32.png) [@the\_brave\_navel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_brave_navel)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-are-fries-and-bacon-always-finger-food/329794/29 "2005-11-06T20:24:19Z")
> [@Shalmanese](#): > > No, it just means your eating cold steak. Which I guess is pretty unsophisticated. Actually, it breaks a rule of etiquette to cut an entire piece of meat at one go. The thought of applying a fork or knife to a strip of bacon has never occurred to me. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-are-fries-and-bacon-always-finger-food/329794/30 "2005-11-06T20:47:50Z")
> [@Shalmanese](#): > > No, it just means your eating cold steak. Which I guess is pretty unsophisticated. Well, at least that’s a reasonable explanation. It sure beats “because that’s what you’re supposed to do.” ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-are-fries-and-bacon-always-finger-food/329794/31 "2005-11-06T21:06:14Z")
You must remember that the British are terribly melodramatic (my parents are both English). Clearly people who consider utensils an object of shock, horror and sadness do not have real problems to address or need lessons in setting priorities. Eating hamburgers with a knife and fork may seem silly. I’d never do it. But if it makes you happy, do it with my blessing. Canada has a fair number of British traditions. Here, fries seem to be eaten with the fingers in fast food restaurants but with the fork when served on a plate in a marginally classier place, or at home. Bacon tends to be eaten with a fork. Ribs, hamburgers and chicken wings are definite finger foods. Pizza can go both ways, but young folks tend to use their hands while village elders make clucking noises. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-are-fries-and-bacon-always-finger-food/329794/32 "2005-11-06T21:31:08Z")
> [@Der Trihs](#): > > At a guess, to keep the steak hot; the increased surface area of a cut steak will make it cool faster. Me, I just microwave it if it gets cold. Ugh, I think I need to lie down for a while :(. ---
**Author:** ![GingerOfTheNorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/cdc98d/32.png) [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-are-fries-and-bacon-always-finger-food/329794/33 "2005-11-06T21:34:56Z")
I eat fries with my fingers if they have stuff on them; vinegar or chili or in poutine. I never eat bacon with my fingers unless I’m snitching it from my son’s plate. I have to tell you, the little rat is fast, so it’s usually the opposite happening. Canadian, if that makes any difference. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-are-fries-and-bacon-always-finger-food/329794/34 "2005-11-06T21:35:36Z")
> [@GingerOfTheNorth](#): > > Canadian, if that makes any difference. You, or the bacon? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![sinjin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@sinjin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sinjin)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-are-fries-and-bacon-always-finger-food/329794/35 "2005-11-06T21:39:19Z")
Fries, bacon, ribs, chicken with bones, asparagras (miss manners aproves of this last one)=fingers always. I loved Indonesia, everything is finger food there. Since our extended visit we now have the ability to eat even sticky rice by hand, yummm. We don’t need no stinkin’ utensils. 🆒 I even eat salad by hand now, one leaf at a time, with dressing to dunk on the side. Sigh, I will never be an American Princess. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-are-fries-and-bacon-always-finger-food/329794/36 "2005-11-06T22:08:03Z")
> [@Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy](#): > > How did you get away with living in the states for to 10 years\*\*\* without\*\*\* seeing anybody eat bacon with their fingers? I don’t eat breakfast out with other people much. My family (until a recent change of events) were all English, so I never had an opportunity to breakast with Americans. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-are-fries-and-bacon-always-finger-food/329794/37 "2005-11-06T22:09:41Z")
> [@Thudlow Boink](#): > > As for bacon, how do Brits normally cook theirs: limp and forkable, or crisp and crumbly? Limp and forkable (but you can slide the crisp sort between the tines), but it is a different cut - much leaner. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-are-fries-and-bacon-always-finger-food/329794/38 "2005-11-06T22:12:39Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > You must remember that the British are terribly melodramatic (my parents are both English). Clearly people who consider utensils an object of shock, horror and sadness do not have real problems to address or need lessons in setting priorities. Or utilize a spot of hyperbole in good-natured fun. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-are-fries-and-bacon-always-finger-food/329794/39 "2005-11-06T22:27:06Z")
Most of the people I know like the crisp shoestring french fries. That leaves the question of a fork being used a mute point. The tines are not going through one of those easily. I supose you guys could use a salad tongs if you like. ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2005, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-are-fries-and-bacon-always-finger-food/329794/40 "2005-11-06T22:51:02Z")
> [@amarone](#): > > I’ve lived in the US for over 10 years across a couple of stints and thought I had got used to all the strange differences (from the UK) in eating and dining habits. Then I married an American. One morning I looked over the breakfast table in shock and horror at the sight of my wife picking up bacon with her fingers. She informed me that everyone does that. Sure enough, an informal survey of her extended family supported that. But is it truly an all-America thing? Do y’all (I’m learning the lingo) eat bacon with your fingers? > > Then **Mrs. amarone** informed me that I am the only person she has ever met who eats fries with a fork. Well, I _was_ the only person until she met my parents, who not only eat fries with a knife and fork, but also burgers and even baby-back ribs. If I am unfortunate enough to end up eating in McBurger King, I will certainly eat the fries and everything else with my fingers. But in a proper restaurant I could not contemplate using my fingers for fries unless the rest of the meal was also finger food. Combining it with another Americanism and you would presumably eat steak and fries as follows: > > [ul] > [li]pick up knife and fork[/li][li]cut a piece of steak[/li][li]put down knife, transfer fork to other hand, eat piece of steak[/li][li]put down fork[/li][li]pick up some fries and eat[/li][li]repeat[/li][/ul] > I would also hope to see “wipe grease/salt off fingers”, but that’s probably optimistic. > > So, do you eat fries with your fingers under all circumstances? Bacon and fries are not finger food for me unless i am in the car and it is McDeath fries from the garbagefood store of the golden arches … and since they have a serious laxitive effect, i minimize the contact I have with McDeatfries … I use fork in left hand and knife in right and they stay there. The cut and switch is a victorian era american table manners affectation … or at least so I have heard. Hm, I dont eat ribs in a ‘formal’ setting, just BBQ joints and they are finger food to me. Some stuff off a chinese buffet is fingrfood. I eat pizza and burgers by finger/hand. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-are-fries-and-bacon-always-finger-food/329794.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americans-are-fries-and-bacon-always-finger-food/329794.md?page=3)