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How to Use the Continental Method?

 Continental dining; fork and knife; eating; dining

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

More by The Polite One

How to Eat Hard to Fork Foods

Stab or Scoop with a Fork?

How to Eat Bread With Butter

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