HANDLING CUTLERY DURING A DINNER

How you handle cutlery at dinner will determine how confidently you represent yourself at the table. As a result, table manners are critical; they reflect your overall etiquette. Focus on meeting new people, getting to know them well, and expressing yourself during dinner. Using cutlery correctly will keep you comfortable and avoid any embarrassing situations. It also entails respecting others and yourself. It will take a long time for you to make a good impression.

Cutlery

For centuries, people have used cutlery. It can also be seen that the shapes, sizes, and placement differ from one culture to the next. Cutlery is handled differently in each culture. Every culture has one thing in common: it was invented to make life easier. Cutlery allows us to eat more comfortably, which also means we consume more civilly. How you eat, drink, and behave at dinner reveals a lot about you. Properly handling cutlery necessitates understanding how each piece of cutlery is dealt with and for what purpose.

Eating styles

There are two major eating styles in the world: American and European. We will also talk about the Indian style of eating.

American Style: The fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right to cut the food. The logic behind this style is that most people are right-handed, so the fork is switched to the right hand to bring the food to the mouth. As a result, shifting to the right hand is more practical. This fashion is popular in the United States.

The European style is also known as the continental style. This eating style is more global and is famous all over the world. The fork is always held in the left hand, and the knife in the right in this style. No, Whatever culture you represent, learning the fundamentals of cutlery handling is essential.

What about finger foods? 

Some foods, such as burgers, French fries, and corn on the cob, are best eaten with your fingers. Pizzas are also finger foods that can be eaten with your fingers.

How do I eat challenging foods?

In a formal setting, some foods may require more effort to cut and eat. I would advise you to avoid trying anything new at a formal event. You don’t want anything to go wrong, so stick to foods that are simple to cut and eat, such as spaghetti, noodles, and fish. To begin, practice eating it at home.

Indian Culture

In India, traditional and modern eating styles coexist. Food is considered holy. It is revered, carefully prepared, and offered to the gods. Eating with your fingers is thought to be more respectful of the food. Eating with your fingers is an act of art. The goal is to feel, touch, smell, and taste the food.

It is customary in south India, where I grew up, to serve food on a banana leaf; one should not use cutlery while eating on a banana leaf. Desserts, on the other hand, can be eaten with a spoon. Maintain your calm when you are unaware of specific settings. Take cues from others, take a deep breath, and follow others if confused.

Remember that the golden rule of etiquette is always being at ease. Respect for others and yourself is demonstrated through courtesy across cultures. Be true to yourself when it comes to eating. There is no such thing as a good or bad eating style. Etiquette rules were established to simplify life and serve its logic from their inception. The key to mastering cutlery handling in practice.

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