Are YOU using your cutlery correctly? Etiquette expert reveals the RIGHT WAY to use a knife and fork while eating
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By now, you’re probably aware that society has an ‘unofficial book of rules’ that we all conform to in an effort to not make a fool out of ourselves.
Among the list is staying quiet in the cinemas, wearing appropriate clothing in public (please don’t rock that bikini in a cafe), not wearing socks with sandals, and apparently, learning where to place your cutlery while eating.
One etiquette expert sparked controversy after revealing the rules for using cutlery properly during a meal.
Dr Clinton Lee, who is also a TikTok creator with over a million followers, regularly posts a variety of etiquette videos including how to butter your bread correctly and how to stand elegantly at cocktail parties.
Recently, he revealed that one should put their knife and fork down while eating instead of holding on to them. He added that there are two different ways to do it properly.
“There are two schools [of thought]. One school would place the knife down [on the plate], and the fork would cover the knife,” he explained.
“There's also an alternative, which would be you've taken your piece, you've eaten, and while you're chewing away, put your fork on the side [of the plate] and your knife on the [other] side [of the plate],”
“Personally, I would watch what the host or the hostess and see which option they are using.” he continued.
The clip prompted mixed reactions, with some users arguing that the rules were too pretentious and others sharing how they prefer to use their cutlery.
“Why does life have to be so d*mn complicated?” commented one user.
“I love your content but have a hard time imagining the world in which one uses these techniques.” pointed out another.
“I usually take them [the utensils] home.” teased a third.
A fourth declared: “I eat with my hands!”
“People are travelling to the moon while others are dying from world wars. You, on the other hand, are more worried about where the host puts their knife and fork.” hissed one more.
However, plenty of users adored the tips, with one saying: “Thank you for all your tips, I used them in my cruise to feel like ‘the main character’ (a slang for pretending to be a protagonist in a movie) lol! I had a blast feeling fancy.”
“I had a blast feeling fancy!” Image Credit: Manners Advisor
A few shared which of the two methods they prefer to use, with number two (putting the knife and fork down on opposite sides of the plate) emerging as the most popular.
“Option 2. Both sides of the dish could get messy and the knife pointing up could slip off and fall or any liquid may drip. Keep them in always. No options.” said one user.
Another agreed, adding: “Option 1 is a no-go if the meal has any sauce whatsoever as you’re going to get it on the handles.”
According to Etiquette Scholar, “Australians do not typically switch knives and forks between hands while eating.”
“The knife remains in the right hand, and the fork remains in the left. When the meal is finished, the knife and fork are laid parallel to one another across the right side of the plate.”
But of course, nothing is better than enjoying your meal with zero worries about making some kind of social faux-pas. If you’re home alone or with a non-judgemental partner that’s as quirky as you are, feel free to indulge in your meal in any way you please…
Personally, we’ll admit to eating dinner on the couch with a pillow propped on our lap more often than not.
How do you usually eat your meals? Does it even matter? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Watch Dr Clinton Lee’s full TikTok video below:
Video Credit: @apwasiwine
Among the list is staying quiet in the cinemas, wearing appropriate clothing in public (please don’t rock that bikini in a cafe), not wearing socks with sandals, and apparently, learning where to place your cutlery while eating.
One etiquette expert sparked controversy after revealing the rules for using cutlery properly during a meal.
Dr Clinton Lee, who is also a TikTok creator with over a million followers, regularly posts a variety of etiquette videos including how to butter your bread correctly and how to stand elegantly at cocktail parties.
Recently, he revealed that one should put their knife and fork down while eating instead of holding on to them. He added that there are two different ways to do it properly.
“There are two schools [of thought]. One school would place the knife down [on the plate], and the fork would cover the knife,” he explained.
Option one VS option two. Image Credit: @apwasiwine
“There's also an alternative, which would be you've taken your piece, you've eaten, and while you're chewing away, put your fork on the side [of the plate] and your knife on the [other] side [of the plate],”
“Personally, I would watch what the host or the hostess and see which option they are using.” he continued.
The clip prompted mixed reactions, with some users arguing that the rules were too pretentious and others sharing how they prefer to use their cutlery.
“Why does life have to be so d*mn complicated?” commented one user.
“I love your content but have a hard time imagining the world in which one uses these techniques.” pointed out another.
“I usually take them [the utensils] home.” teased a third.
A fourth declared: “I eat with my hands!”
“People are travelling to the moon while others are dying from world wars. You, on the other hand, are more worried about where the host puts their knife and fork.” hissed one more.
However, plenty of users adored the tips, with one saying: “Thank you for all your tips, I used them in my cruise to feel like ‘the main character’ (a slang for pretending to be a protagonist in a movie) lol! I had a blast feeling fancy.”
“I had a blast feeling fancy!” Image Credit: Manners Advisor
A few shared which of the two methods they prefer to use, with number two (putting the knife and fork down on opposite sides of the plate) emerging as the most popular.
“Option 2. Both sides of the dish could get messy and the knife pointing up could slip off and fall or any liquid may drip. Keep them in always. No options.” said one user.
Another agreed, adding: “Option 1 is a no-go if the meal has any sauce whatsoever as you’re going to get it on the handles.”
According to Etiquette Scholar, “Australians do not typically switch knives and forks between hands while eating.”
“The knife remains in the right hand, and the fork remains in the left. When the meal is finished, the knife and fork are laid parallel to one another across the right side of the plate.”
But of course, nothing is better than enjoying your meal with zero worries about making some kind of social faux-pas. If you’re home alone or with a non-judgemental partner that’s as quirky as you are, feel free to indulge in your meal in any way you please…
Personally, we’ll admit to eating dinner on the couch with a pillow propped on our lap more often than not.
How do you usually eat your meals? Does it even matter? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
Watch Dr Clinton Lee’s full TikTok video below:
Video Credit: @apwasiwine
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& so disrespectful! The problem with many of them is that they think we owe them because they grace us with their presence!
