The use of western tableware
When eating with a knife and fork, fix the left side with a fork, cut a small mouth with a knife and dip it into the mouth.
The American way of eating is to cut all the food into small pieces first, and then change your right hand and take a fork to eat slowly. But if you eat juicy meat dishes, the gravy will flow to the plate, which is unsightly. So, you'd better take a bite.
How to use western knives and forks
1. When eating, the plate is in the middle, so the knife and fork are on the right side of the plate and the fork is on the left. Generally, people who write with their right hand naturally take a knife or spoon in their right hand, a fork in their left hand and a cup in their right hand when drinking western food.
2. Put knives and forks on the dining table, generally no more than three pairs. For a set meal with more than three courses, you must put a new knife and fork after the meal.
3. Knife and fork are used from outside to inside (that is to say, they are placed from outside to inside in advance according to the order of use).
When eating, the left and right hands usually cooperate with each other, that is, one knife and one fork are used in pairs. With some exceptions, when drinking soup, put the spoon on the right and hold it with your right hand. Oysters are usually eaten with an oyster fork in their right hand.
Knife and fork have different specifications and sizes according to different uses. When eating meat, whether you want to cut it with a knife or not, you should use a big knife. Use a medium knife when eating salads, sweets or some appetizers. The fork or spoon usually varies with the size of the knife. Use a large spoon for soup and a small spoon for coffee and ice cream.
6. Don't serve others with your own tableware.
7. Don't stick a fork in the food entrance, but shovel the food. Of course, this rule has become less strict now. The Englishman holds a fork in his left hand, with the fork pointed down, and puts the meat upright and sends it to his mouth. If it is a burnt vegetable, he puts it on a fork and sends it to his mouth. Americans cut meat in the same way, then put down the knife in their right hand and put it under the meat with the fork pointed upward. Without a knife, he shoveled meat into his mouth and ate burnt vegetables in the same way.
8. If you don't need a knife to eat a dish, you can also hold a fork in your right hand. For example, Italians eat noodles with only one fork and do not need other tableware, so it is simple and convenient to hold the fork with their right hand. If there are no large pieces of meat to cut, such as vegetarian dishes, just vegetables and non-staple foods that don't need to be cut, then it is reasonable to eat with a fork in your right hand.
9. To be on the safe side, don't tell me what to do when holding a knife and fork. It is polite to put a knife and fork on a plate when talking or talking. This is also a kind of respect for the people next to you.
10. Forks and spoons can be put in your mouth, but knives can't be put in your mouth, whether there is food on them or not. In addition to the etiquette requirements, the knife entrance is also dangerous.
Significance of placing knives and forks in western food
In western food, the placement of knives and forks is also meaningful, and your dining wishes can be conveyed through the placement of knives and forks:
1. I haven't finished eating: the plate is gone. If you want to continue eating, open the knife and fork in a triangle, then the waiter won't take your plate away.
I'm finished: you can put the knife and fork on the same side of the plate in parallel. At this time, even if there is something left on your plate, the waiter will know that you have finished eating and will take the plate away at the right time.
Please give me some more food: the plate is empty, but you still want to eat. Open the knife and fork in a figure of eight, and the waiter will give you more food.
Note: only applicable to parties that allow extra meals or when eating dishes that may be added. If there is only one dish in each dish, there is no need to put the tableware like this.