How to use cutlery correctly

Every person, at least once in his life, may encounter a situation when he needs not just to eat, but to do it beautifully and correctly. It is for such cases that basic knowledge of etiquette is needed. Learning them is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance. Especially when it comes to cutlery.

There are two ways to properly handle devices: European and American. The rules in them often overlap (for example, the same sequence of actions). The differences relate to the options for using the devices.

European style of using cutlery

This method is sometimes called "continental". It is the most common, but its rules are somewhat stricter than the American style.

For example, preparing the table for a meal is important. The tablecloth must be spread so that its edges fall no more than 25 cm. Naturally, they should hang equally along the entire perimeter of the table. The blade of the knife should be turned towards the plate, it should be placed on the right. The fork should be placed on the left with the tines facing up.

Equally important is how to use the appliances directly while eating. Let's look at some of the nuances of the continental version:

1. Devices always “work” in a duet. The fork is held with the left hand, and the knife with the right. Europeans are very sensitive to the position of instruments in their hands while eating. So, the fork needs to be turned with the tines down.
2. The left wrist remains on the table. You can't swing tools if lunch is interrupted by talking. It's better to put them on a plate.
3. It is important to watch your elbows: they should not interfere with your neighbors. If your right hand is free, it should be placed on your knees.
4. Do not turn the fork over. Even if there is a side dish on the plate consisting of small pieces that are difficult to pick up.
5. Transferring devices from hand to hand is not allowed.
6. If you are serving a liquid dish, you must first eat all the broth. The spoon should be in the right hand. If there are large pieces of meat and vegetables in the soup, they are eaten after the broth.

If there is a pause during a meal (for example, due to a conversation, meeting a late guest, an important toast), the cutlery should be placed on a plate. A competent sequence of actions is important here. First you need to put the knife down (the blade faces to the left and is directed towards the center of the plate). The fork is placed on top of the knife (teeth facing down).

It is necessary to finish the meal properly. According to the European style, the cutlery should be placed at an angle in relation to the plate, but so that they are parallel to each other. The fork faces down with its tines.

American style of using cutlery

A more democratic option. Table preparation should be the same as in the continental method. However, using tools while eating will be different. Thus, the American style is characterized by the following features:

1. The fork can be used as a stand-alone device or in conjunction with a knife.
2. A knife is only needed to cut large pieces of food.
3. The fork can be held in either hand. Here everything is determined by the specific situation. If it is necessary to cut off a piece, it is placed in the left hand, and the knife in the right.Do not clamp the tools too tightly. When a piece is cut, the knife should be placed on the edge of the plate. It is recommended to transfer the fork (with a piece of food on it) to the right hand.
4. It is permissible to use a fork with the tines up (as if it were a spoon). For example, if you need to eat finely chopped vegetables. At this time, the knife remains on the edge of the plate. Its blade should again point inward.
5. You can put your left hand on your knees, but do not gesture with it, especially if another dinner participant is sitting nearby.
6. You can put small pieces on a fork using a piece of bread. This must be done carefully. So, you should not leave used bread on the table. It is better to eat it after the contents of the fork or put it on the edge of the plate.

A pause in a meal also has its own characteristics. It is customary to leave the fork and knife on the plate. They should lie parallel to each other, but not next to each other (as is assumed in the European style). The knife is placed almost on the edge of the plate with the blade facing inward. Fork - closer to the middle, teeth up.

When the meal is over, the cutlery is placed parallel and close to each other on the plate. The tines of the fork “look” up, the blade of the knife points to the center of the plate. To arrange the devices correctly, you can imagine a clock. It should appear that the knife and fork connect the numbers 4 and 10 on the dial.

It is believed that maintaining etiquette is a complex matter and troublesome. But this statement is true only as long as the rules are studied and the skills of competent behavior at the table are consolidated. When all actions are honed and brought to automaticity, adherence to etiquette becomes the norm, allowing you to show your best side in any situation.