# How Do You Hold Your Knife And Fork When Eating? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 25, 2012, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-hold-your-knife-and-fork-when-eating/623074 "2012-05-25T16:17:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2012, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-hold-your-knife-and-fork-when-eating/623074/81 "2012-05-28T03:47:59Z")
Sitting here, at my desk at work, trying to imagine… I think I never put the knife down, so I assume I keep the fork in my left hand. I am right-handed. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2012, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-hold-your-knife-and-fork-when-eating/623074/82 "2012-05-28T15:24:18Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > Fork in left hand the whole time, knife in right. I’m left handed though, so I didn’t really have to learn to use the left as my primary food shoveling hand, that part just came naturally. +1 ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2012, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-hold-your-knife-and-fork-when-eating/623074/83 "2012-05-28T16:16:31Z")
Apparently, I started eating the “European” way at a young age and that’s my usual inclination, despite being an American born and raised. On the other hand, if I’m in a formal situation where everyone else is doing the cut-and-switch-the-fork thing I can adapt. For when I’m just forking up the food and don’t have to cut I’m equally likely to use either had to manipulate the fork. When eating in a crowded situation and I’m next to a lefthander I switch and eat lefthanded so we aren’t bumping elbows. I guess I’m just adaptable. And ambidextrous. Also use chopsticks as easily as a fork. And yes, I can use them with either hand, although I usually stick to right. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2012, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-hold-your-knife-and-fork-when-eating/623074/84 "2012-05-28T18:43:01Z")
> [@CrazyCatLady](#): > > Yeah, I’ve never really understood the whole efficiency argument here, either–it’s not like the goal is to cram the food into your slavering maw as rapidly as possible. If that were the goal, you’d just pick it up with your hands and shove it in, pausing only to growl at other diners who get too close. If you were raised properly, like I was, you would know that it is possible to shovel it in as fast as possible and growl at other diners **while** switching the fork from hand to hand. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Sri\_Theo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Sri\_Theo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sri_Theo)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2012, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-hold-your-knife-and-fork-when-eating/623074/85 "2012-05-28T23:53:52Z")
Somebody needs to find/create youtube videos for all of these variations. Variety is the spice of life and all that but why would you use a fork to _cut_ things? ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-hold-your-knife-and-fork-when-eating/623074/86 "2012-05-29T00:50:28Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > … if I’m in a formal situation where everyone else is doing the cut-and-switch-the-fork thing… Oh dear. There is no way in hell one would do this in a formal situation. It boarders on barbarism according to my cultural background. ---
**Author:** ![Kiwi\_Fruit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kiwi_fruit/32/12_2.png) [@Kiwi\_Fruit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiwi_Fruit)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-hold-your-knife-and-fork-when-eating/623074/87 "2012-05-29T01:08:23Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Oh dear. There is no way in hell one would do this in a formal situation. It boarders on barbarism according to my cultural background. Different strokes and all that. I think it’s a small reminder that USAnians may look the same as us, but have weird customs. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-hold-your-knife-and-fork-when-eating/623074/88 "2012-05-29T01:35:22Z")
Strange customs? Can we perhaps discuss hakka? I mean, it’s impressive and amazing but… to our eyes a bit odd. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-hold-your-knife-and-fork-when-eating/623074/89 "2012-05-29T01:52:32Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > Strange customs? Can we perhaps discuss hakka? I mean, it’s impressive and amazing but… to our eyes a bit odd. The Haka is a challenge The Hakka are a clan / province from China (if i’m not wrong literally “boat people”, but perhaps **China Guy** is more well versed than me on the matter) And watching the dueling hakas at one of the previous world cups just shows the total awesomeness of sports. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-hold-your-knife-and-fork-when-eating/623074/90 "2012-05-29T02:05:20Z")
> [@Sri\_Theo](#): > > Somebody needs to find/create youtube videos for all of these variations. Variety is the spice of life and all that but why would you use a fork to _cut_ things? Only soft things. You don’t saw at food with the side of a fork, but if the food is soft enough to give when a fork is lightly pressed against it, it’s ok to lightly press the fork against it to get a bite sized piece. One thing that has gone unstated, all utensils are put down between bites (fork, knife, spoon, whatever.) They’re not held at the ready for the next bite of food. ---
**Author:** ![Askance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/askance/32/8281_2.png) [@Askance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Askance)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-hold-your-knife-and-fork-when-eating/623074/91 "2012-05-29T02:06:17Z")
Why is the non-switching style being referred to as specifically European? I’ve travelled a fair bit (although by no means everywhere) and I’ve only ever seen the switching thing in the USA. > [@kayT](#): > > I don’t understand using a fork in a manner that to me is upside down. Why is the fork curved if not to hold food? The downward curve makes the tines almost vertical to the plate and food, so you can stab things (eg steak) with it and then cut with the right hand. Are you saying you push down on the steak with the back of the fork to hold it still while cutting? You can certainly flip the fork over to scoop up peas or mashed potato, but by default it curves downward. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-hold-your-knife-and-fork-when-eating/623074/92 "2012-05-29T02:10:03Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > One thing that has gone unstated, all utensils are put down between bites (fork, knife, spoon, whatever.) They’re not held at the ready for the next bite of food. While you are chewing you are either preparing the next bite, or you are “resting” the knife and fork on the plate, while still holding them. If I saw somebody putting down and picking up utensils between bites I would wonder a) what was wrong with them b) if I was going to be waiting three hours for them to finish dinner ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-hold-your-knife-and-fork-when-eating/623074/93 "2012-05-29T03:02:15Z")
> [@Askance](#): > > You can certainly flip the fork over to scoop up peas or mashed potato, but by default it curves downward. Am I the only person on the SDMB with the ability to rotate his wrist? ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-hold-your-knife-and-fork-when-eating/623074/94 "2012-05-29T03:46:13Z")
fork is always in my right hand. Knife in my left. Don’t most people use a knife in their left hand? ---
**Author:** ![Kiwi\_Fruit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kiwi_fruit/32/12_2.png) [@Kiwi\_Fruit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiwi_Fruit)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-hold-your-knife-and-fork-when-eating/623074/95 "2012-05-29T04:29:41Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > fork is always in my right hand. Knife in my left. > > Don’t most people use a knife in their left hand? Is this a whoosh? Apart from lefthanders, I’ve not seen anyone use their knife in their left hand. ---
**Author:** ![Jormungandr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a6a055/32.png) [@Jormungandr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jormungandr)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 4:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-hold-your-knife-and-fork-when-eating/623074/96 "2012-05-29T04:41:30Z")
I use whatever hand they happen to be in at the moment as I’m semi-dominant. Since I’m eating steak, conversation should be before or after I eat my steak for a certain reason I usually state before doing so, which will be quick for the same reason. Yes, I chew thoroughly, but it’s not shoveling. I don’t get how am I disrespecting or being rude to someone as long as I’m getting food into my mouth without getting it on someone else or their plate or creating some other sort of disturbance. At my house, if you want to use knife and fork, chopsticks, tortillas or even make a sandwich/burrito/taco of your meal, you’re welcome to it. ---
**Author:** ![Wolverine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba9def/32.png) [@Wolverine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolverine)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 5:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-hold-your-knife-and-fork-when-eating/623074/97 "2012-05-29T05:14:14Z")
I found[this video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIj5Rt-7b9I#t=1m25s) that shows the difference. ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-hold-your-knife-and-fork-when-eating/623074/98 "2012-05-29T05:42:45Z")
> [@Wolverine](#): > > I found[this video](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIj5Rt-7b9I#t=1m25s) that shows the difference. That video talks about something else I was taught growing up - which is the “silent service code” - signalling when you’re finished the course. But watching that women demonstrate “american style” - it looks really clumsy. While not outright rude, after dinner I would make a (private) comment to my wife if I saw someone eating like that. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 7:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-hold-your-knife-and-fork-when-eating/623074/99 "2012-05-29T07:04:01Z")
UK. Fork in left hand, knife in right, cutting as required. Cutting everything up in advance seems vulgar and childish to me. If the entire plate requires no cutting and may be eaten entirely with the fork (noodles, etc), then I hold the fork in the right hand throughout. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2012, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-hold-your-knife-and-fork-when-eating/623074/100 "2012-05-29T08:50:42Z")
> [@Askance](#): > > Why is the non-switching style being referred to as specifically European? I’ve travelled a fair bit (although by no means everywhere) and I’ve only ever seen the switching thing in the USA. In the US that style is referred to as “European” even though quite a few of us know that it’s more universal than that, and a few of us even know we’re the oddballs. Probably dates to when most Americans’ interactions with foreigners was with Europeans. Full-on American style always struck me as pretentious, but since I live here I know how to do it and will if the occasion calls for it. Day to day most people are far more relaxed about it and it’s not that unheard of for people to eat European style. Heck, with the popularity of things like fast food a lot of meals don’t even use utensils beyond fingers and maybe a spork. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-hold-your-knife-and-fork-when-eating/623074.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-hold-your-knife-and-fork-when-eating/623074.md?page=6)