What really bugs me is when people eat Buffalo wings with a fork. I had no idea this phenomenon existed until I went to Wings n Things with my mom. It’s hard to concentrate on my plate when shenanigans of such magnitude are occurring on the other side of the table.
Eww.
Re the OP. I don’t think it’s rude, but it depends on the situation, really. I mean if you are at a nice restaurant or something - well one of the many reasons I am with my SO is he does have a modicum of class and finds these little things important, and I find that attractive. But like others said, as long as you are not sawing or fighting your poor food with the fork, go right ahead. I mean, I chop up my steak into little bits all at once because I don’t want to have to keep cutting it throughout the meal.
Similar to fetus it bugs me when people eat pizza with a knife and fork. Pick it up with your hands, people! It’s pizza!
Screw hunting rifles–Real Men use a fork and knife right out there on the plains. If you can’t bring a deer down with two fistfuls of old-fashioned American stainless steel, your family doesn’t deserve to eat venison tonight.
I grew up with all the Southern debutantes (I myself did not debut, as we are New Money) and I can assure you that it is not rude to cut your food with your fork. It is not optimal, however, to do so with anything you have to really work at - I’d say that raising the elbow is a no no. Making little “eh! eh!” noises of effort would likewise be frowned upon.
Forks ain’t for cuttin’, they’re for stabbin’. Just stab what you eatin’, bring it to your mouth and bite off a hunk. If it has a bone, it has a built in holder. Just pick it up by the bone and gnaw off a bite. The only time anythin’ needs a cuttin’ is if it’s too big for my plate.
You can find old dessert forks that are designed with one tine thicker than the others, or even serrated, to be used as a cutting edge. I have a few antique silver ones–this is the closest picture I can find that looks like the ones I have: http://www.sipler-sterling.com/JacobDavisFk.jpg
They’re meant, I believe, for pie crusts and other thick, cakey desserts that might need cutting, but one could use them for waffles if one were so inclined, and be ever-so genteel about it.
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(Camera change to perky lady attempting to saw the hind leg off of a yak using a fork. She and the yak both turn to the camera with frustrated expression and shake heads in unison)
Annoyed by having to change hands and use extra utensils?
(Camera change to knife-and-fork-wielding doofus who fails to cut steak, but stabs small child sitting next to him. Doofus and small child both turn to camera with frustrated expression and shake heads in unison)
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(Camera change to Asian man who attacks lumber with fork, and in a blur or activity, cuts it in half. Asian man and beaver both turn to camera with approving expression and nod heads in unison)
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