Fork etiquette

by Nicole Weston, Posted Jan 21st 2007 @ 2:31PM

The fork, once known as a split spoon, is a vital eating utensil for just about everyone these days. The implement originated sometime during the early Middle Ages, caught on in Italy in the 11th century and gradually spread across Europe, heading first to France and then to Spain, over the next few centuries.

When they first came into use, it was considered very rude to eat from them and spoons, knives and fingers were the implements of choice for most diners. These days, there are few foods that cannot be eaten with the aid of a fork and it would be considered quite rude to resort to using fingers in most dining situations. Culinary etiquette experts offer a few pearls of wisdom on what foods are appropriate to eat with your hands (just in case one of these experts happens to show up the next time you're having a meal out).The foods you can eat by hand are:

Bread: break slices of bread, rolls and muffins in half or into small pieces by hand before buttering.
Bacon: the crispy American style can be picked up and eaten. The more ham-like Canadian bacon should be cut.
Finger foods/meals: Follow the cue of your host. If finger meals are offered on a platter, place them on your plate before putting them into your mouth. Make sure a napkin is nearby.
Foods that are meant to be eaten by hand include: corn on the cob, ribs, lobster, clams and oysters, chicken wings, sandwiches, certain fruits, olives, celery, dry cakes and cookies.

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Filed Under: Did you know?
Tags: bacon, bread, did you know, eat, eating, etiquette, finger foods, fork, forks, rules

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

1-21-2007 @5:45PM Sarah said... I've heard that asparagus is to be eaten with your fingers also.
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1-21-2007 @9:03PM Lemons said... And shoestring potatoes.

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1-21-2007 @11:12PM MJ said... Have to admit..............I have been lacking with the chldren on this. When I was growing up you knew how to set a proper table and eat when there was more than one fork. With all the fast foods most people especially children dont know the proper table etiquette. So sad, I use to enjoy long dinners with my parents at age 5 while Sinatra sang in Conn.And yes, I can remeber back to age 2. My son embarassed me at olive garden recently...and there were only 2 forks for christ sake!
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1-21-2007 @11:13PM MJ said... Dont know about veggies eaten wiht fingers but french fries....but of course!
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1-21-2007 @11:19PM MJ said... Anotehr comment. I really dont care if people use the wrong fork or spoon. Just enjoy your meal. Didnt say anything to my son about the forks, just to grab one. Will bring up at another time before we go out to dinner again.
It was more important to enjoy the meal than to worry about proper ways to do it.If I would have been him I would have gotten a deadly look and it that didnt work a smack........kids!!!
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1-22-2007 @12:17AM ErosLane said... I'm preparing for a trip to Thailand this year, so I've been doing a ton of reading.

I was amazed when a travel guide mentioned that, in Thailand, you do not place a fork in your mouth. Apparently, people will stare at you as if you put a butter knife in your mouth in the USA. You use the fork to gently guide the food onto a spoon, which you place in your mouth.

I've been practising here at home. Got more than one stare at Thanksgiving. :-)

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1-22-2007 @6:54AM SaraFist said... Yes, asparagus ought to be eaten with your fingers.
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1-22-2007 @9:58AM Veruka said... I grew up in SoCal using a fork and knife to eat pizza (probably because it was too hot) and got used to doing it (less mess on my fingers, etc.). I would get odd looks in high school and college, but now that I live in Montreal, I find it's de rigeur to eat pizza with a fork and knife! Anyone else do this?
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1-22-2007 @12:55PM frodo said... Don't forget sushi! Nigiri is more often than not eaten with your fingers.

Although I do enjoy seeing gaijin eating sushi in a restaurant with chopsticks. Fumbling around like they are trying to remove a girl's bra strap for the first time. All embarrassed. All hungry.
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