On Mon, 06 Aug 2007 05:55:13 -0700, Cindy Hamilton
> wrote:

>On Aug 6, 4:41 am, Omelet > wrote:
>> In article
>> >,
>> Dan Abel > wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> > In article >,
>> > Julia Altshuler > wrote:
>>
>> > > I wish there were a way on the survey to trace who is from where and who
>> > > switches their fork back and forth. I'm from the U.S. and learned the
>> > > switching method: fork goes in left hand to cut, then in the right hand
>> > > to bring the food to the mouth. Jim's from Canada. He learned the
>> > > non-switching method: fork stays in left for cutting and transporting.
>> > > I always feel like an idiot when dining with his family. Their method
>> > > is so efficient and neat, but when I've tried to learn it, I find it
>> > > tricky. It would take practice. (His family has never said a word
>> > > about my manners or lack. It's just 2 methods, both acceptable.)
>>
>> > Sometimes people forget just how hard it is to change which hand is used
>> > for what. Try writing with your other hand! I've seen this with mice,
>> > also. Not the animal, the computer tracking device. People who try to
>> > use their non-dominant hand to drive the mouse look very incompetent. I
>> > worked with an accountant like that. He worked there a long time. His
>> > right hand was reserved for his ten key, and he was good at it. He
>> > didn't have to look at the keys, he knew them by touch. As accounting
>> > got more and more computerized, and navigation got more mouse-driven, he
>> > had more and more problems trying to use the mouse with his left hand.
>> > His subordinates would sometimes order him out of his chair and do the
>> > computer work themselves because they couldn't stand to watch him fumble
>> > around.
>>
>> Handedness has to do with the dominant side of the brain, or so I was
>> told in Human A&P class.
>>
>> The one time I tried to force myself to write with my left hand (in that
>> very class), not only did it not go very well, I found myself unable to
>> speak for about 5 minutes.
>>
>> It was weird, and frightening.
>
>I think most left-handers are more ambidextrous than right-handers.
>I've
>been forced to write with my non-dominant hand a couple of times
>(injuries,
>etc.), and while cumbersome it was not disconcerting.
>
>Except for writing, I tend to do things the way I was taught by right-
>handers.
>I bat, knit, and use a mouse or scissors right-handed. When preparing
>food in the kitchen, I use the knife in my left hand, but when eating
>food
>at the table I use my right hand for the knife.
>
>I'm right-eye dominant, so I shoot right-handed, too. Of course, I
>was taught to shoot by a rightie.
>
>Maybe I'm not really a leftie at all. Hmmm. Maybe I'm just confused.
>
>Cindy Hamilton

your ambidextriality is just a harmless phase. you'll grow out of it.

your pal,
blake

On Mon, 06 Aug 2007 12:24:38 GMT, (Phred)
wrote:

>In article >, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
>>
>>"Phred" > wrote
>>
>>> But to return to the topic -- I was taught to use fork in left and
>>> knife in right if the stuff needs cutting. And we don't chop it all
>>> then eat like you do; we cut a bit off and stuff that down before
>>> cutting off another bit.
>>
>>Who cuts up all their food at once? I don't know if it's
>>bad manners or just frowned upon, but usually you just cut
>>off your next bite. Cutting up the whole thing at once is what
>>parents do for their small children.
>
>G'day Nance,
>
>I'm happy to be shown I'm wrong, but the impression we have here in Oz
>is that "Americans" chop stuff up, then switch the fork to the other
>hand to shovel the bits into the mouth. Are you saying they do this
>one bite at a time? Or have I got my ethnics mixed?
>
>Cheers, Phred.

i do a couple of bites at a time. no sense going hog wild.

your pal,
blake

On Mon, 06 Aug 2007 08:30:59 -0400, Julia Altshuler
> wrote:

>Phred wrote:
>>
>> I'm happy to be shown I'm wrong, but the impression we have here in Oz
>> is that "Americans" chop stuff up, then switch the fork to the other
>> hand to shovel the bits into the mouth. Are you saying they do this
>> one bite at a time? Or have I got my ethnics mixed?
>
>
>Standard procedure is to put the fork in the left and knife in the
>right. Cut one bite of food. Put the knife on the side of the plate,
>switch the fork to the right, put the left in the lap, then put one bite
>of food in the mouth. Chew slowly with mouth closed while returning
>cutlery to their original fork in left, knife in right positions and
>repeat. This thread shows that's not the only way Americans do it, but
>that's standard for a great many of us. You can see why it's considered
>awkward if you're not used to it. It's an awful lot of moving the
>silverware around, but that's the way I learned, and it's very normal
>and ordinary for most of us.
>
>
>--Lia

i have seen putting the fork down between bites touted as a diet
method.

your pal,
blake

blake murphy said...

> On Mon, 06 Aug 2007 05:55:13 -0700, Cindy Hamilton
> > wrote:
>
>>On Aug 6, 4:41 am, Omelet > wrote:
>>> In article
>>> >,
>>> Dan Abel > wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> > In article >,
>>> > Julia Altshuler > wrote:
>>>
>>> > > I wish there were a way on the survey to trace who is from where
>>> > > and who switches their fork back and forth. I'm from the U.S. and
>>> > > learned the switching method: fork goes in left hand to cut, then
>>> > > in the right hand to bring the food to the mouth. Jim's from
>>> > > Canada. He learned the non-switching method: fork stays in left
>>> > > for cutting and transporting.
>>> > > I always feel like an idiot when dining with his family. Their
>>> > > method
>>> > > is so efficient and neat, but when I've tried to learn it, I find
>>> > > it tricky. It would take practice. (His family has never said a
>>> > > word about my manners or lack. It's just 2 methods, both
>>> > > acceptable.)
>>>
>>> > Sometimes people forget just how hard it is to change which hand is
>>> > used for what. Try writing with your other hand! I've seen this
>>> > with mice, also. Not the animal, the computer tracking device.
>>> > People who try to use their non-dominant hand to drive the mouse
>>> > look very incompetent. I worked with an accountant like that. He
>>> > worked there a long time. His right hand was reserved for his ten
>>> > key, and he was good at it. He didn't have to look at the keys, he
>>> > knew them by touch. As accounting got more and more computerized,
>>> > and navigation got more mouse-driven, he had more and more problems
>>> > trying to use the mouse with his left hand. His subordinates would
>>> > sometimes order him out of his chair and do the computer work
>>> > themselves because they couldn't stand to watch him fumble around.
>>>
>>> Handedness has to do with the dominant side of the brain, or so I was
>>> told in Human A&P class.
>>>
>>> The one time I tried to force myself to write with my left hand (in
>>> that very class), not only did it not go very well, I found myself
>>> unable to speak for about 5 minutes.
>>>
>>> It was weird, and frightening.
>>
>>I think most left-handers are more ambidextrous than right-handers.
>>I've
>>been forced to write with my non-dominant hand a couple of times
>>(injuries,
>>etc.), and while cumbersome it was not disconcerting.
>>
>>Except for writing, I tend to do things the way I was taught by right-
>>handers.
>>I bat, knit, and use a mouse or scissors right-handed. When preparing
>>food in the kitchen, I use the knife in my left hand, but when eating
>>food
>>at the table I use my right hand for the knife.
>>
>>I'm right-eye dominant, so I shoot right-handed, too. Of course, I
>>was taught to shoot by a rightie.
>>
>>Maybe I'm not really a leftie at all. Hmmm. Maybe I'm just confused.
>>
>>Cindy Hamilton
>
> your ambidextriality is just a harmless phase. you'll grow out of it.
>
> your pal,
> blake


I taught myself to write backwards in 5th grade. Not any affliction, rather
I actually practiced it. Hold it in front of a mirror to read it.

I was the best darn backwards writer in the whole school!!!

Andy
Right-handed
No eye dominance (middle-brained?

"Sheldon" > wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> Depends on "good manners" where.
>
> Most of the world uses no knives at the table and no forks either...
> most of the world would find a knife at the table beyond rude, they'd
> consider that extremely hostile. In fact most of the world uses no
> other eating utensils but their fingers.

Indeed, and a good host would ever indicate by word or deed that their guest
was in anyway different in their table manners.

"Peter A" > wrote in message
...
>> I have been trying to adopt the "European" system simply to avoid all
> the switching between hands. I find that with the fork in my left hand I
> can do the simpler things, such as spearing a piece of chicken or
> tomato, but some things - for example, buttered peas - still require the
> greater dexterity of my right hand.

Hmmmm we either spear them or squash them onto the back of the fork if we
are in company, or we push them, with the knife onto the front of the fork
sideways.

"Andy" <q> wrote in message ...
> Peter A said...
>
>> I have been trying to adopt the "European" system simply to avoid all
>> the switching between hands. I find that with the fork in my left hand I
>> can do the simpler things, such as spearing a piece of chicken or
>> tomato, but some things - for example, buttered peas - still require the
>> greater dexterity of my right hand.
>
>
> But you still use your spoon for peas, right?!?


<G>

"Ophelia" > wrote

> "Peter A" > wrote

>>> I have been trying to adopt the "European" system simply to avoid all
>> the switching between hands. I find that with the fork in my left hand I
>> can do the simpler things, such as spearing a piece of chicken or
>> tomato, but some things - for example, buttered peas - still require the
>> greater dexterity of my right hand.
>
> Hmmmm we either spear them or squash them onto the back of the fork if we
> are in company, or we push them, with the knife onto the front of the fork
> sideways.

Heh, I remember as a child, my Scottish (from Scotland) grandfather
teaching us kids to push peas onto our fork with our knife. For reasons
I don't know this really ****ed off my father. I learned, don't push your
peas with your knife.

I sure wouldn't squish my peas, if nothing else I like to eat them whole.

nancy

"Nancy Young" > wrote in message
. ..
>
> "Ophelia" > wrote
>
>> "Peter A" > wrote
>
>>>> I have been trying to adopt the "European" system simply to avoid all
>>> the switching between hands. I find that with the fork in my left hand I
>>> can do the simpler things, such as spearing a piece of chicken or
>>> tomato, but some things - for example, buttered peas - still require the
>>> greater dexterity of my right hand.
>>
>> Hmmmm we either spear them or squash them onto the back of the fork if we
>> are in company, or we push them, with the knife onto the front of the
>> fork sideways.
>
> Heh, I remember as a child, my Scottish (from Scotland) grandfather
> teaching us kids to push peas onto our fork with our knife. For reasons
> I don't know this really ****ed off my father. I learned, don't push your
> peas with your knife.
>
> I sure wouldn't squish my peas, if nothing else I like to eat them whole.

then you must spear them))

"Randy Johnson" > wrote in message
. net...
>
> On 6-Aug-2007, Omelet > wrote:
>
>> > In fact most of the world uses no
>> > other eating utensils but their fingers.
>> >
>> >
>> > Sheldon
>>
>> Same goes for bathroom utensils.
>> --
>> Peace, Om
>
> That explains why, when a company I worked for brought in a lot of
> "contractors" from India, it was suggested we avoid shaking hands with
> them.

Hmm that is rather unfair! Rather than just use paper to clean themselves
they wash in running water.

I prefer the latter way. We use a bidet!

Peter A wrote:
>
> I have been trying to adopt the "European" system simply to avoid all
> the switching between hands. I find that with the fork in my left hand I
> can do the simpler things, such as spearing a piece of chicken or
> tomato, but some things - for example, buttered peas - still require the
> greater dexterity of my right hand.


Not a problem. Use the knife blade to corral them over to the fork and
stick them with the prongs.

Dan Abel wrote:
>

> This is a worldwide newsgroup, and manners vary by country. In some
> countries it is bad manners to serve food that needs to be cut at the
> table. The cook is expected to cut all food into pieces before serving.
> Knives and forks are not even present at the table.


If you want to have some fun, serve European guests corn on the cob :-)

"Dave Smith" > wrote in message
...
> Dan Abel wrote:
>>
>
>> This is a worldwide newsgroup, and manners vary by country. In some
>> countries it is bad manners to serve food that needs to be cut at the
>> table. The cook is expected to cut all food into pieces before serving.
>> Knives and forks are not even present at the table.
>
>
> If you want to have some fun, serve European guests corn on the cob :-)

Nope. We have wee forks that stick into each end and we pick them up with
those)))

Ophelia said...

>
> "Dave Smith" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Dan Abel wrote:
>>>
>>
>>> This is a worldwide newsgroup, and manners vary by country. In some
>>> countries it is bad manners to serve food that needs to be cut at the
>>> table. The cook is expected to cut all food into pieces before
serving.
>>> Knives and forks are not even present at the table.
>>
>>
>> If you want to have some fun, serve European guests corn on the cob :-)
>
> Nope. We have wee forks that stick into each end and we pick them up
with
> those)))


If it's lathered up with butter and stuff, I use the corn handlers too. If
it's raw I just hold the cob and go to town on it.

Andy

P.S. I'm still bothered about people forking peas! Another poorly conceived
dining technique, imho. "I came to eat, not to fight with a few lowly
peas!" --A

"Andy" <q> wrote in message ...
> If it's lathered up with butter and stuff, I use the corn handlers too. If
> it's raw I just hold the cob and go to town on it.

You just saddle up eh?


> Andy
>
> P.S. I'm still bothered about people forking peas! Another poorly
> conceived
> dining technique, imho. "I came to eat, not to fight with a few lowly
> peas!" --A

Gasp! Shock! How can you call peas lowly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wash out
your mouth boy <G>

Omelet wrote:
> Sheldon wrote:
> > In fact most of the world uses no
> > other eating utensils but their fingers.
>
> Same goes for bathroom utensils.

Utensils... what kind of bathroom utensils... I just know this is
gonna be kinky, probably even needs batterys! hehe

Sheldon Gillette

In article >,
Dave Smith > wrote:

> Dan Abel wrote:
> >
>
> > This is a worldwide newsgroup, and manners vary by country. In some
> > countries it is bad manners to serve food that needs to be cut at the
> > table. The cook is expected to cut all food into pieces before serving.
> > Knives and forks are not even present at the table.
>
>
> If you want to have some fun, serve European guests corn on the cob :-)

On my last day at work, my boss took our group out for lunch. It was a
nice burger kind of place. The French guy ate his with knife and fork.
Said it was less messy. I think he was right, but I doubt I will do
this.

Ophelia said...

>
> "Andy" <q> wrote in message ...
>> If it's lathered up with butter and stuff, I use the corn handlers too.
If
>> it's raw I just hold the cob and go to town on it.
>
> You just saddle up eh?


Ophelia,

Why yes, yes I do. And there's no stopping mid-ear. You munch off a few
rows without stopping from end to end!



>> P.S. I'm still bothered about people forking peas! Another poorly
>> conceived
>> dining technique, imho. "I came to eat, not to fight with a few lowly
>> peas!" --A
>
> Gasp! Shock! How can you call peas lowly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wash out
> your mouth boy <G>


Oh, no ma'am! They're mightly delicious little things, but I'm not gonna
put up a fight to enjoy 'em! I'd just assume turn them into pea soup!



Andy

"Phred" > wrote in message
...

> I guess your problem dates from the Boston Tea Party -- you no longer
> recognise the Royal plural when you see one. ;-)
>
> Cheers, Phred.

Actually, as an IGNORANT person, I prefer 'you-all' -
What Boston Tea Party? Where, When?
Dee Dee

"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Phred" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Another difference: We [sorry to confuse you Dee Dee, this is NOT a
>> Royal plural, it's just referring to myself and several mates] went a
>> bit hungry when in the USA 30 years ago until we realised that until
>> you ate your bloody salad the buggers wouldn't serve your main course!
>
> ROFLMAO
The salad was bloody?
There were buggers where?
Dee Dee

Dan Abel said...

> On my last day at work, my boss took our group out for lunch. It was a
> nice burger kind of place. The French guy ate his with knife and fork.
> Said it was less messy. I think he was right, but I doubt I will do
> this.


A teammate of mine at work in Philly (an Aussie) didn't exhibit any strange
eating habits but he knew every food cart on every corner for blocks around
and could tell you which menu items to order for the best cost savings based
on quality and quantity.

We'd ask him what we wanted and he'd tell us which food cart on which corner
to visit.

I miss my Aussie "connection," who returned to Melbourne, VIC in 2003.

Andy

>
> I always eat my peas with honey;
>
> I've done it all my life.
>
> They do taste kind of funny
>
> But it keeps them on my knife.


> - Anonymous ...
>

I love it -- thanks.
Saved!
Dee Dee

"Andy" <q> wrote in message ...
>> Gasp! Shock! How can you call peas lowly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wash out
>> your mouth boy <G>
>
>
> Oh, no ma'am! They're mightly delicious little things, but I'm not gonna
> put up a fight to enjoy 'em! I'd just assume turn them into pea soup!

.... and nothing wrong with that)

"Dee Dee" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Ophelia" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Phred" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> Another difference: We [sorry to confuse you Dee Dee, this is NOT a
>>> Royal plural, it's just referring to myself and several mates] went a
>>> bit hungry when in the USA 30 years ago until we realised that until
>>> you ate your bloody salad the buggers wouldn't serve your main course!
>>
>> ROFLMAO
> The salad was bloody?
> There were buggers where?
> Dee Dee

sorry Dee Dee that was funny in an a British way!

> P.S. I'm still bothered about people forking peas! Another poorly
> conceived
> dining technique, imho. "I came to eat, not to fight with a few lowly
> peas!" --A

I have a close relative-in-law that does not 'fork' his peas. I would refer
rather to his technique as 'jabbing' the peas.
What a din!
Dee Dee

Dan Abel wrote:
> In article >,
> Goomba38 > wrote:
>
>
>> People with good manners never cut up all their food at once. What a
>> barbaric way to eat.
>
> This is a worldwide newsgroup, and manners vary by country. In some
> countries it is bad manners to serve food that needs to be cut at the
> table. The cook is expected to cut all food into pieces before serving.
> Knives and forks are not even present at the table.

But Phred was asking about *American* manners, and my reply was
regarding only American manners.

ChattyCathy wrote:
> Dan Abel wrote:
>> In article >,
>> Goomba38 > wrote:
>>
>>
>>> People with good manners never cut up all their food at once. What a
>>> barbaric way to eat.
>>
>> This is a worldwide newsgroup, and manners vary by country. In some
>> countries it is bad manners to serve food that needs to be cut at the
>> table. The cook is expected to cut all food into pieces before
>> serving. Knives and forks are not even present at the table.
>
> Exactly Dan. *Some* people around here seem to forget that r.f.c. is
> indeed a world-wide group, or even that the Earth is round, for that
> matter...

Let me clarify my previous answer. Phred was asking about the perception
that *Americans* cut up all their food and shovel it in. My response was
about the manners of *Americans* who are trying to do "the right thing"
at table.

Goomba38 wrote:

>
> Let me clarify my previous answer. Phred was asking about the perception
> that *Americans* cut up all their food and shovel it in. My response was
> about the manners of *Americans* who are trying to do "the right thing"
> at table.

Fair enough.

Did some googling about this and found this site:

http://www.cuisinenet.com/glossary/use.html

<quote>
The Zig Zag Method
By American custom, which 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, which is the more
capable hand for most people. This leads to some complicated maneuvering
when foods, such as meat, require the use of knife and fork 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. Emily Post calls this the
"zig-zag" style.
</quote>

BTW, I thought your parents were from Italy, or am I thinking about
somebody else?

--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy

Garlic: the element without which life as we know it would be impossible

"Denise in NH" > wrote in message
...
> One thing I've noticed with my friend who was born and raised in
> England, is that she not only holds her fork in her left hand and knife
> in her right (never switching), she rests the fork "upside down" on the
> plate and uses the knife to push the food onto the "back" of the fork
> and puts the fork into her mouth upside down. Is this typical of
> European eating too?
>
> Denise
> http://community.webtv.net/DeniseJG/
> My QI
That's how my hubby eats. He was raised in the UK too. I was born there
but raised in Canada. Mom a Scot, Dad a Canadian. I don't remember being
taught how to properly eat with a knife and fork.

MoM

"Ophelia" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Dee Dee" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Ophelia" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>> "Phred" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> Another difference: We [sorry to confuse you Dee Dee, this is NOT a
>>>> Royal plural, it's just referring to myself and several mates] went a
>>>> bit hungry when in the USA 30 years ago until we realised that until
>>>> you ate your bloody salad the buggers wouldn't serve your main course!
>>>
>>> ROFLMAO
>> The salad was bloody?
>> There were buggers where?
>> Dee Dee
>
> sorry Dee Dee that was funny in an a British way!
>
No offense taken. The oldest of my ancestors are/were from England. Except
the ones that were here before then ;-)
Dee Dee

Phred > wrote:

> Another difference: We [sorry to confuse you Dee Dee, this is NOT a
> Royal plural, it's just referring to myself and several mates] went a
> bit hungry when in the USA 30 years ago until we realised that until
> you ate your bloody salad the buggers wouldn't serve your main course!
> Here in Oz [at least in the parts I inhabit, Dee Dee] we [that's all
> of us in those parts] would either have the salad on the plate with
> the rump steak or whatever, or served simultaneously as a side dish.

I rather like the French way of serving the salad after the
main course. I don't know why American restaurants have ordained
the salad must be first. Well, probably because it gives them
something to serve that can be made quickly while the steak or
whatever is cooking.

Bill Ranck
Blacksburg, Va.

> wrote in message ...
> Phred > wrote:
>
>> Another difference: We [sorry to confuse you Dee Dee, this is NOT a
>> Royal plural, it's just referring to myself and several mates] went a
>> bit hungry when in the USA 30 years ago until we realised that until
>> you ate your bloody salad the buggers wouldn't serve your main course!
>> Here in Oz [at least in the parts I inhabit, Dee Dee] we [that's all
>> of us in those parts] would either have the salad on the plate with
>> the rump steak or whatever, or served simultaneously as a side dish.
>
> I rather like the French way of serving the salad after the
> main course. I don't know why American restaurants have ordained
> the salad must be first. Well, probably because it gives them
> something to serve that can be made quickly while the steak or
> whatever is cooking.
>
> Bill Ranck
> Blacksburg, Va.

Many eons ago I use to eat in a French family-style restaurant in San
Francisco, where they always served a wonderful salad at the end of the
meal. It was always refreshing there, but I don't think I could ever get
into a habit of doing it here at home. Possibly if I served/cooked more
French-style food, but I rather doubt it.

It was a fun place to eat - Des Alpes, San Francisco.
Dee Dee

wrote:

> I rather like the French way of serving the salad after the
> main course. I don't know why American restaurants have ordained
> the salad must be first. Well, probably because it gives them
> something to serve that can be made quickly while the steak or
> whatever is cooking.


This is how I grew up to do it also, being from an Italian family. It
freshens the palate.

On Sun, 05 Aug 2007 15:25:26 +0200, ChattyCathy
> wrote:

>
>I didn't get offended LOL. I get the impression that people from the USA
>tend to do the "switch" thing - I've known quite a few that moved here
>and had meals with them. Always looked "time-consuming" or at least
>"awkward" to me. That's why the contributor put the "where were you
>born" question in - a lot depends on what you are used to or "brought up
>to do".

Slowing down (time consuming) is the basis of the zig-zag method of
eating. Apparently Emily Post was tired of entertaining people who
shoveled food into their faces and barely came up for air, much less a
civilized conversation.

Lifted from
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Menu/...uetteGuide.htm

1. American Style: Knife in right hand, fork in left hand holding
food. After a few bite-sized pieces of food are cut, place knife on
edge of plate with blades facing in. Eat food by switching fork to
right hand (unless you are left handed).

Continental/European Style: Knife in right hand, fork in left hand.
Eat food with fork still in left hand. The difference is that you
don't switch hands-you eat with your fork in your left hand, with the
prongs curving downward.

2. Eat to your left, drink to your right. Any food dish to the left
is yours, and any glass to the right is yours.

3. Pass food from the left to the right.

4. If asked for the salt or pepper, pass both together, even if a
table mate asks for only one of them. This is so dinner guests won't
have to search for orphaned shakers.

5. Never intercept a pass. Snagging a roll out of the breadbasket
or taking a shake of salt when it is en route to someone else is a
no-no.

LOLOL! I am soooo guilty of intercepting a pass!

Here is a PowerPoint on proper table manners. Sometimes I wish I
could get up and show people how to use their knife and fork. I can't
stand seeing people (who should know better) in public restaurants
holding their fork with a club grip just to cut a piece of meat.
http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:....rock-hill.k12.
click on the url that ends in ppt

If you don't have a power point viewer, get it he
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/do...798701033.aspx


--

A husband is someone who takes out the trash and gives the impression he just cleaned the whole house.

On Sun, 05 Aug 2007 09:17:12 -0700, Dan Abel > wrote:

>In article >,
> Julia Altshuler > wrote:
>
>
>> I wish there were a way on the survey to trace who is from where and who
>> switches their fork back and forth. I'm from the U.S. and learned the
>> switching method: fork goes in left hand to cut, then in the right hand
>> to bring the food to the mouth. Jim's from Canada. He learned the
>> non-switching method: fork stays in left for cutting and transporting.
>> I always feel like an idiot when dining with his family. Their method
>> is so efficient and neat, but when I've tried to learn it, I find it
>> tricky. It would take practice. (His family has never said a word
>> about my manners or lack. It's just 2 methods, both acceptable.)
>
>Sometimes people forget just how hard it is to change which hand is used
>for what. Try writing with your other hand! I've seen this with mice,
>also. Not the animal, the computer tracking device. People who try to
>use their non-dominant hand to drive the mouse look very incompetent. I
>worked with an accountant like that. He worked there a long time. His
>right hand was reserved for his ten key, and he was good at it. He
>didn't have to look at the keys, he knew them by touch. As accounting
>got more and more computerized, and navigation got more mouse-driven, he
>had more and more problems trying to use the mouse with his left hand.
>His subordinates would sometimes order him out of his chair and do the
>computer work themselves because they couldn't stand to watch him fumble
>around.

That's nothing to do with his handedness... more his amount of
practice (or lack of it). My mother is right-handed but she switched
to mouseing with her lefthand years ago because she was getting
tendonitis in her wrist and needed to rest it... she's just as good at
it as anyone else is the 'normal' way. And I'm left-handed but I
learnt to use the mouse right-handed - it didn't seem worth the hassle
of learning to do it 'backwards'... besides, that way my left hand is
free to use the keyboard/cursors at the same time as my right
manipulates the mouse (very handy for playing games, which was how I
first learnt to use a mouse!)

When it comes to cutlery I learnt to use it the same way as everyone
else - my mother said it would take as much effort to learn either
way, so I might as well fit in... (besides, if you hold the knife in
your left and the fork in your right you have to reverse every place
setting you come across, and you'll be continually bumping elbows with
the person sitting next to you.) She tried to get me to use a spoon
right-handed too for the sake of politeness, but that was too hard for
me to manage - I always spilt it!

In article >, "Dee Dee" > wrote:
>
>"Phred" > wrote in message
...
>
>> I guess your problem dates from the Boston Tea Party -- you no longer
>> recognise the Royal plural when you see one. ;-)
>
>Actually, as an IGNORANT person, I prefer 'you-all' -
>What Boston Tea Party? Where, When?

I regret to say you've missed it. (So did I. :-)

<http://tinyurl.com/jg52v>
Or, in full:
<http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/teaparty.htm>

In summary:
<quoting http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_Tea_Party>
The Boston Tea Party was an act of protest by the American colonists
against Great Britain in which they destroyed many crates of tea
bricks on ships in Boston Harbor. The incident, which took place on
Thursday, December 16, 1773, has been seen as helping to spark the
American Revolution.
</quoting>

Please select your brew:
<http://www.tea.co.uk/index.php?pgId=11>

(I thought a Pommie link would be most appropriate here.

Cheers, Phred.

--
LID

In article >,
"MOMPEAGRAM" > wrote:

> "Denise in NH" > wrote in message
> ...
<snip>
> > and puts the fork into her mouth upside down. Is this typical of
> > European eating too?
> >
> > Denise
<snip>
> That's how my hubby eats. He was raised in the UK too. I was born there
> but raised in Canada. Mom a Scot, Dad a Canadian. I don't remember being
> taught how to properly eat with a knife and fork.
>
> MoM

I'm glad you said that cause I don't remember ever getting lessons in
knife and fork use. Table manners were taught, (Dave! Get your face out
of Sally's soup bowl!) but I think mom and dad pretty much left us to
our own devices re. knives and forks. I did get taught how to use chop
sticks (by somebody who thought they knew how to use them) and though I
followed their advice for a while eventually evolved a technique that
was more comfortable to me. Do Asian kids get instruction?

Throughout this thread it became apparent to me that I really don't know
if I follow any rule of utensil use. If I do, I expect it's unconscious.
Now I'm afraid I'll start paying attention, find out that I'm rule
driven, and never get the same blissfully ignorant joy from eating
again. 8^(

Dave W.
From the Ozarks where they don't got no table rules at all.

On Mon, 6 Aug 2007 18:23:44 +0100, "Ophelia" > wrote:

>
>"Sheldon" > wrote in message
roups.com...
>>
>> Depends on "good manners" where.
>>
>> Most of the world uses no knives at the table and no forks either...
>> most of the world would find a knife at the table beyond rude, they'd
>> consider that extremely hostile. In fact most of the world uses no
>> other eating utensils but their fingers.
>
>Indeed, and a good host would ever indicate by word or deed that their guest
>was in anyway different in their table manners.
>

assuming you meant 'never,' not 'ever,' this is a good point. miss
manners would be proud of you. rudeness never excuses rudeness in
return.

your pal,
blake

Denise in NH said...
she rests the fork "upside down" on the plate and uses the knife to push
the food onto the "back" of the fork and puts the fork into her mouth
upside down. Is this typical of European eating too?

Denise,
I've read about stabbing foods with the fork and bringing it to the
mouth with the fork facing down but putting items on the back of the
fork seems like lots of accidents waiting to happen. I wouldn't dream of
using either technique.
That probably explains why my black tie invites are at an all time low?
<G>
Andy

Yes, but she forgot to say that the diner has to be eating while
standing on his head, with only one hand supporting him, so that the
food does not slide off the back of the fork. If it does, in spite of
all, the other hand is used to stop the sliding food from falling off.
)
Andy, once you master this maneuver, your mail box will be stuffed to
the limit with black tie invitations. Margaret
----------------------------------------------------

No need to stand on your head, I should have said that my friend pushes
soft sticky type foods onto the back of her fork, such as mashed
potatoes or squished peas, or anything gooey that won't likely fall off
on the way to her mouth. She doesn't balance cut up pieces of meat,
those she stabs.

Denise
http://community.webtv.net/DeniseJG/
My QI

Andy said:
I taught myself to write backwards in 5th grade. Not any affliction,
rather I actually practiced it. Hold it in front of a mirror to read it.
I was the best darn backwards writer in the whole school!!!
Andy
Right-handed
No eye dominance (middle-brained?
---------------------------------------------------

Andy, I never heard of anyone else who could do this easily. I've always
been able to write cursive backwards as quickly as I write forwards. My
friends like to make me do it as a parlor trick.

Denise
Right-handed
Left eyed ( only messes me up when I shoot archery)