Dear Polite One,
What
is the proper way to maneuver the knife and fork in
the European style? I notice that the fork is usually held in the left hand and
the knife in the right. What does one do then with the fork at rest? Is
it placed tines down or up?
Is
the knife placed on the plate's edge or with the blade in the plate's center?
Are the two utensils ever switched to scoop food onto the fork with the knife?
When
eating with a dessertspoon and fork, which utensil is used in which hand?
I am fascinated by this eating style
and would like to use it, but alas I know not how.
Thank
you,
Wants
to Know
Dear
Wants to Know,
With
the European or Continental style, the fork is held tines down with your index finger along
the back of the fork and secured with your fingers and thumb around the handle
in the left hand. Reverse if left-handed.
Secure
the food you wish to cut with your fork. With your knife in the dominant
hand, cut one bite at a time holding the knife in the same manner. You may push
food up on the back of the fork with your knife. You may keep your knife
in your right hand until you need to cut another bite. Once you have food on
your fork, take the bite with the tines down.
It
is improper to allow your utensils to touch the table once they are used. Also,
lay your utensils, tines down, on the plate while talking. The
conversation at a meal is as important as the food.
Some
say that you may switch hands to scoop foods with your fork. But many consider
this to be 'country' manners. So, be careful.
In
addition, it is appropriate to push food onto your fork with a piece of bread
or your knife. Great, huh?
With
dessert, either you may use the spoon or fork depending on which seems
appropriate to you. Looking around to see what others are doing helps. Use your
right hand, if you are right-handed.
Good
luck with the Continental method.
Sincerely,
The
Polite One
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