Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: European (Continental) style
• Part 2 of 3: American style
• Part 3 of 3: Dining extras
• Tips
• Warnings
• Sources and citations

It's easy to look like a primitive hunter if you hack at it with a knife and fork. But in a restaurant or on formal occasions, you'll want to use these tools in a classic way. There is a European (or Continental) style and then there is the American style. Which one do you prefer?

To step

Part 1 of 3: European (Continental) style

1. Know that the fork is on the left side of the plate and the knife on the right. If you have more than one fork, the outer one is your salad fork, and the inner one is for your main dish. The fork for your main dish will be larger than your salad fork.
   • We will talk about the table setting in the last section. Now let's focus on how to hold your tools and start eating! The "right" way, of course.
2. To cut dishes on your plate, hold your knife in your right hand. The index finger is mainly straight and rests at the base of the blunt top of the cutting portion. The other fingers wrap around the handle. With your index finger resting on the top, your thumb is next to it against the side. The end of the handle should touch the base of your palm.
   • This is the same in both styles. And both styles target right-handers. If you're left-handed, consider doing just about everything you read in this article the other way around.
3. Hold your fork in your left hand. The teeth are facing away from you (down). The index finger is straight, resting on the back near the head of the fork, but not so close that you run the risk of hitting the food. The other four fingers wrap around the handle.
   • This is often referred to as the "hidden handle method". This is because your hand covers almost the entire handle, keeping it out of sight.
4. Bend the wrist so your index fingers are pointing down toward your plate. This also makes the tip of the knife and fork point slightly towards the plate. Your elbows should be relaxed and not at all in the air or uncomfortable.
   • Speaking of which, your elbows in particular should be off the table at all times. But don't worry if you take a break from using your cutlery and are in a casual environment.
5. Bring small pieces of food to your mouth with the fork. In this style of eating, you bring the fork to your mouth with the tines bent down. The back of the fork will be up as you bring it to your mouth.
   • Hold the fork in your left hand, even if you are right-handed. You may find that this method is the more efficient of the two if you experiment with both.

Part 2 of 3: American style

1. When you cut, hold the fork in your left hand. Unlike the Continental method, the American method has more of a pen grip. The handle rests against your hand between your thumb and index finger, your middle and thumb hold the base, and your index finger rests on top. Again, the teeth are pointing down and away from you.
2. Only when you cut do you hold the knife in your right hand. This hand position is the same as in the aforementioned style - with your index finger along the base and your other fingers folded around it.
3. Except when slicing, eat with your fork in your right hand, teeth facing up. If you're eating a dish that doesn't require slicing, keep your fork in your right hand all the time using this method. Teeth may point down when you take a bite, but will generally point back up most of the time. However, be aware that this will only ever be a problem in the most formal setting. We are talking about when the Prime Minister is sitting in front of you. You don't have to worry at all other occasions.
   • Your cutlery should never touch the table. If you're only using your fork, make sure your knife rests along the edge of your plate. When you put your fork down, rest the handle on the corner, tines toward the center of the plate.

Part 3 of 3: Dining extras

1. Understand the table setting. For 95% of meals you will probably only be dealing with a knife, fork and spoon. But on those extra happy occasions, you can see a few more parts and wonder what the hell to do. Here's a rough outline:
   • A four-piece cover is a knife, salad fork, main fork, main knife, and coffee teaspoon. The salad fork will be on the outside and smaller than your main fork.
   • A five-piece cover is all that and a soup ladle. The soup spoon will be much larger than your coffee teaspoon.
   • A six-piece cover is a fork and knife for the first course (on the outside), fork and knife for the main course, and a dessert / salad fork and teaspoon for coffee. The last two will be the small ones.
   • A seven-part cover is all that and a soup ladle. The soup spoon will be much larger than your coffee teaspoon and is not a knife or fork.
     • If you ever see a small fork on your right (forks usually never go on the right) it's an oyster fork.
     • Cutlery is usually placed in order of use. When in doubt, start on the outside and work inward.
2. If you are only taking a break in between snacks, place your cutlery in a resting position. There are two different ways to indicate to your waiter that you have not are ready:
   • European style: Cross your knife and fork on your plate, fork over the knife, teeth down. The two should form an upside down "V".
   • American style: The knife goes at the top of your plate, cutting edge at 12 o'clock, handle at 3 o'clock. The fork is placed with the tines up, at a slight angle from your body.
3. To eat pasta, wrap it around your fork. If you have a spoon, catch a few strands with your fork and wrap them, resting on the base of your spoon. If the strings are too long and prove to be a nuisance, you can cut them with your knife if necessary. But before you take drastic measures, try to take a few wisps at a time. And make sure you have a napkin ready!
   • If you are not good with pasta, then you are in good company. It's messy now and then for even the most seasoned pasta eater. It's less about the knife and fork and more about not slurping!

Tips

• Don't stress. No one does it 100% exactly the same way. And certain foods will require a slightly different method. Don't worry about the details as long as you master the basics.

Warnings

• Don't stick your elbows out! Learn to hold them against the sides of your body. Otherwise you can hit your neighbor or neighbor!

Sources and citations

• http://www.professionalimagedress.com/dining-etiquette-seminars-eating-styles.htm
• http://www.925-1000.com/settings.html
• http://www.thekitchn.com/survey-using-your-knife-and-fork-166188
• http://www.chefalbrich.com/etiquette/proper_knife_fork.htm
• http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/blogs/editor/2013/07/youre-holding-your-knife-and-fork-wrong.html