So there is the ongoing, endless debate about whether to eat food European Style (fork in left hand, knife in right) or American style (knife in left hand, fork in right, switching the fork as needed). It has often been discussed, to high tempers and possible duels to the death.
The thing is, unless I’m cooking or eating something like steak that requires it, I rarely use a knife. When eating pancakes, for example, I’ll usually turn my fork 90 degrees and cut with the side of the fork, then rotate it back and spear the pancake bite and convey it to my mouth.
Pasta? Cut with side of fork. Omelette? Side of fork. Steamed vegetables? Side of fork.
In general, I don’t “cut and switch.” Maybe it’s because I’m left handed. Pancakes, sometimes I use a knife, sometimes I use a fork. Depends on the toughness and amount of pancakes.
Americans have learned not to duel over this, because we are at a disadvantage switching the rapier from hand to hand all the time.
According to my mother, Grand High Doyenne of That Which Is Not Done, cutting with the side of the fork is OK.
But not for pasta. Pasta is eaten with a spoon and fork, where the pasta is pressed against the fork tines and the fork is twirled to wind up the strands into a bunch (not too big a bunch) and this is conveyed to the mouth. Note to my five year old self - moderate your rotational speed when twirling to avoid spraying the vicinity with spaghetti sauce.
Pancakes are fine, though. They are correctly served in the shape of Mickey Mouse, in which case each ear is severed (with the fork), smooshed about in the syrup, and consumed. The remaining head is then cut into quarters, each quarter wrapped around one half strip of bacon, folded over, and eaten. If the bacon needs a knife to cut, it is not crispy enough.
Waffles, of course, are cut along the ridges, so as to preserve the sanctity of each indentation which has been filled with its own individual dollop of syrup.
Now sit up straight and tell us what you learned at school today.
I grew up eating knife and fork Euro style for everything, so that’s what I do. It drives me nuts when a table is set with a fork, but not a knife, even if the food can be eaten without one, as I usually end up using the knife for scooping or guiding finicky pieces of food onto my fork.
Both American style and European style are dumb, as far as I can tell. Why not just use the fork in the dominant hand and the knife in the non-dominant hand, no switching or eating wrong-handed required?
That’s what I do, that’s what I’ve always done. Pretty sure that’s what my parents do, too, and my wife. Is that “American style”? “Midwestern style”? Or just my family’s style?
Anyway, count me in as a fork-cutter for any soft foods. I only break out a knife for cutting meat or sandwiches.
Thanks for my first laugh of the day, Johnny Bravo.
I eat European style. I was raised the other way and always felt it was very inefficient to constantly change the fork from one hand to the other. If I make the pancakes myself, I can cut them with a fork.
That is exactly what I do. My son does it, too, but no one else in my family does. Not sure where I came up with it. Maybe most people are just too clumsy to cut with their non-dominant hand?
I’m all for Euro-style fork and knife action, but not necessary for pancakes. Just cut with the side of your fork-- no knife needed. The purpose of a knife when it comes to pancakes is to ensure there is enough butter spread all 'round. Properly made pancakes with the right amount of butter do NOT need syrup. Syrup is for waffles. And French Toast.
Too much work. Grab the top one, roll it up, eat like hot dog. Reapply syrup as needed. Repeat until complete. Licking syrup from fingers between each one is optional.
I kid. I actually hate pancakes. Nasty things. Waffles are great though.
I voted “side of fork,” though I’m not fond of pancakes. I will do this whenever possible. As for knife-requiring foods, I just noticed something last week. I know I used to use utensils Euro-style, but at some point recently I must have started switching hands. I guess because my arthritis is worse in my left hand.
Agreed. Why complicate simple matters? Have we not yet managed universal fine motor control as homo sapiens?
I don’t know if this helps answer your question but I am not related to you (I don’t think) and I’m not from the Midwest (I grew up on the west coast), so maybe it’s “evolved American style”?
I eat with fork in right, and never set it down. I just learned to run the knife with my left hand. Works fine, no switching.
Remember, the origin of table manners is not practicality. It is to perpetuate the apperance of superiority of the leisure class, who has time to practice all this shit. Think Hyacinthe Bucket.
