I’m going to add this to my list of “Things I learned from the Internet that are big problems for other people, but I never conceived could be an issue.” I’m not saying you’re doing anything wrong; I just never thought this could be one of those everyday annoyances that some people have.
I’m aggressively ambivalent about eating most deserts with a fork or a spoon. And if anyone has a problem with me not caring, they can use whatever utensil they wish to deal with it, because I’m sorry, I’m just not going to apologize for not having an opinion.
I literally have never put any thought in the subject prior to this thread. I mean, I’e always preferred to eat cake with a fork, but until now I’ve never really considered why.
In the movie Monster’s Ball, Billy Bob’s character is in a diner and he orders a bowl of ice cream. When it’s brought to him by his non-regular waitress, Halle Berry, he tells her he needs a plastic spoon.
I originally thought this was some sort of odd character quirk but came to realize that Billy Bob’s character was right and ice cream should not be eaten with a metal spoon.
We have some dedicated plastic spoons that are specifically used for ice cream and I don’t think I could go back to using a metal spoon. I don’t know why but it just don’t seem right.
Well, if I recall correctly, and it’s been many years since I read it, Miss Manners said dessert should properly be served with both a fork and a spoon. Because with almost any dessert there are some aspects easiest to eat with a fork, and others with a spoon. So give both.
Like you I hide a fork to the very end of my visit/meal but there are times depending on the exact cut and dish that I would use a spoon for cheesecake. I want every last crumb dammit.
Well, dessert forks exist, and there’s even such a thing as an ice-cream fork, but they’re uncommon in restaurants. For me, spoons work about as well as forks for cheesecakes and custard pies and such; maybe better if there’s ice cream or sauces of whipped cream involved. Cakes, fruit pies, marshmallow meatloaf meringue, are all forkworthy.
Any utensil that is clean and about the right size will do. I can’t remember if I used a spoon or a fork last time, but I remember it worked just fine.
Timely question as I’m eating cheesecake right now with a spoon. I wouldn’t care if it was a fork but I honestly prefer a spoon for anything I don’t have to poke. There’s some sensory annoyance with forks hitting my teeth or the plate. It’s like nails on a chalk board. I don’t know why spoons don’t do it.
In Thailand, putting a fork in your mouth is considered as gauche as putting a knife in your mouth would be in the West. They eat with fork and spoon, but the fork is mainly for pushing food onto the spoon. (Chopsticks are for noodle dishes only.) I have seen forks being used to spear meat and it on occasion, but in general it’s not done.
I don’t care if the server brings a spoon or a fork; what I REALLY want is a privacy screen, so I don’t have to feel self-conscious when I pick up the dish to lick it clean.
On a side note, the wife and I this evening attended the 2018 Waikiki Spam Jam, where we had, among other Spam delights, Spam and haupia cheesecake. We were given a spoon to eat it with.