I have noticed that Amercian have this habit of eating with just their fork. I had heard that it goes back to the day of the Widewest and how they had to keep one hand on their gun while they ate. But we are now in the 21st Century. When I watched the bit where he and his wife was eating, he cut something on his plate then put the knife down and just use his fork. Cannot understand what the need for now.
They do it simply because most times the fork is all they need. Now, I'm Canadian so my habits are likely different, because I'm more ready to eat with both my knife and fork, and even more than one set if I'm serving a three-course meal. But that's not to say that I don't eat with just a fork either.
To sum that up, it depends on what they're eating. I suppose...
I have notice it is more of an American thing. I was only aware of id when watching a old war film. They were training some spice from different countries and they were watching them eat one at a time. When it cam the the American, he was stop and was told the the German's would know as that is how the American's eat. After that, I started to look to see if the film was right. It was. From Fresh Prince of Bel Air to Home Improvement. There is a reason why we in the West have a KNIFE, Fork and a spoon.
I'm an American and all my life I've been taught this is the "appropriate" way to eat. In fact as a child I was chastised when I tried using the European method, i.e. holding my knife and using my fork upside down the way I’d seen in British movies. I was told I looked like I was "shoveling my food" in and to "quit being silly and eat proper"
This isn't a judgment call on which way is correct merely a reply on why many Americans eat this way; It's how we were taught. I found an etiquette site that explains the American and European methods. I hope this helps.
American Method
The American custom o fusing utensils was brought about partly by the late introduction of the fork into the culture; all three utensils are intended for use primarily with the right hand. This is the more capable hand for most people. This leads to some complicated maneuvering when foods needs to be cut to obtain a bite of manageable size. When this is the case, the fork is held in the left hand, turned so that the tines point downward, the better to hold the meat in place while the right hand operates the knife. After a bite-sized piece has been cut, the diner sets the knife down on the plate and transfers the fork to the right hand, so that it can be used to carry the newly cut morsel to the mouth.
European Method
The European, or "Continental," style of using a knife and fork is somewhat more efficient, and its practice is also common in the United States. In this method, the fork is held continuously in the left hand and used for eating. When food must be cut, the fork is used exactly as in the American style, except that once the food is cut it is conveyed directly to the mouth on the downward-facing fork. Regardless of which style is used to operate fork and knife, it is important never to cut more than one or two bites at one time.
It is not just European's that uses both knife and fork. It is every where else expect America. The one that I heard was about how in the wild west. They used to eat with one hand and place their other hand on thier gun. In case they were attacked during a meal. I think that it looks better when they use both the Knife and fork. Plus it is better manners. I know that they have the knife placed on the table. If so, why not use it for what it is ment for. If not do not bu or even have it on the table at all. After all, you do not use the 'Fork' to have you soup, do you. But then, there might be some that do.
You're right about that style being used mainly in America. I looked into it last night after I posted. However, only using one hand so the other’s free for their gun is an old west wives tale. It's the type of thing writers back east would put in penny comics back in the 1800's. I suppose it made the West sound dangerous and exotic. Our style of utensil use is just traditional here I don’t know why. I've never thought about where our eating habits originated from. I'll have to research this somemore, Your message has really peaked my interest.
Well, I sam glad to have got your old brain cells going. I too would like to know the real reason behind it. I mean they lay the table with all of the utensils, including the knife and then do not even bother to use it.
Haven't found a reason why yet. however did find an interesting site from both Americans and Austrailians giving their take on the knife and fork method.
Eureka... Took long enough. Check this site on why particularly 1630ad unless you want to know way more about the history of cutlery than anyone should know.
I never gave much thought to this subject, but I do remember my father correcting me whenever I held both the fork and knife in my hands while eating.
To this day I still cut a small piece off of whatever I'm eating, and eat a bite at a time, placing my knife back on the table in between. However, I do a variation of this method by cutting with my left hand and placing the knife on the table, and eating with the fork in my right hand. In other words, I cut with my left hand and eat with my right. My European husband eats with both utensils in his hands.
I don't think there is a right or wrong way to use the utensils. People should handle the knife, spoon, fork, chopsticks, etc. in which ever manner they're most comfortable.
I was watching NCIS today, where the Ambulance got blown up and I saw two of them having a meal and they were acutely using both the Knife and the Fork. But as for the Folk, one had the folk turned down whilst the other had it turned it up wards.
As an American, it's customary to eat only with a fork if the food you're eating is easy to cut with the side of a fork; ie soft vegetables, eggs, and fish. Or even if you don't need to cut the food like small peices of meat, pasta, and rice. Hence, why dirty more eating utensils.
We normally use knives if the food cannot be cut with a fork like steak or large poultry pieces.
Hope that puts to ease the minds of the confused Europeans out there.
When eating soft foods, or things that don't require a knife, why would I sit there with both tools in my hands and force myself to eat with my non-dominant hand? I mean logically, how does that make sense?
On the occasions where a knife is needed, I generally do keep both utensils in my hands and they remain there while that item still needs cutting.
For the record, back when I used to eat steak, I would often just cut it up all at once so I could put the knife down and be done with it, then eat with my right hand.