Eating without a knife (savages)

[Ellie]

As much as this sounds like a joke topic, we being Britain, this has been all over the news and media for the past few weeks. Basically, the snobs are at it again.

Apparently, knife sales are down and fork sales are up. People are buying more cutlery forks than knives, and actually buying forks singularly more than knives, which would suggest that more people are neglecting knives from the dinner table and just using forks.

According to the media, this is because we are being Americanised by fast food outlets where they only give you forks, and Italian food, such as pizza and pasta, where only a fork is used.

(I like how these people have clearly never eaten fast food in their lives: who the fuck uses a fork for a KFC or a pizza o.O)

The point of this topic is:

• What do you use to eat?
• Do you find it insulting, or get disgusted by, people eating with only a fork (or their fingers)?
• Do you believe Britain is being "Americanised" in this aspect, turning us into savages?
• If you were on a date with someone, would the way they eat their food impact the outcome?

 

[Gray]

I usually use my fingers, but if not my fingers, a fork.

Britain might be being Americanised... wait, doesn't the media have bigger things on their minds, like.... nvm.

 

[Ellie]

Maybe I'm just a toff and therefore only hear tofftalk and read ToffTimes

 

[Guest]

;D

 

[Jason]

I use a fork to eat with, since I don't see the need to use a knife unless I'm having a food that NEEDS cutting such as meat on a sunday roast...

I don't find it insulting at all that people eat with only a fork, since I do it too, I do however, think it's wrong that people eat foods with just their hands, unless it's something that is meant to be eaten with the hands such as pizza or KFC... I mean "Finger lickin' good" just doesn't sound right if we were all eating with forks...

I think we're being "Americanised" with the amount of fast food retailers opening up here, but in my eyes, business is business, and the best way to increase the market, is by expanding your assets.

Pfft... Are you joking ? I wouldn't care how they eat their food, since I always take my girlfriend to KFC or McDonalds, although a few times we've been to buffet's and stuff, lol.

Overall, I don't see how the snobby bastards have the right to complain that we eat with our hands, especially since the foods that we do eat with our hands, are fast foods, and it's those people who are letting fast food franchises build their restaurants in the first place... If anything, they should take the blame, but they're all pussy faggot wankers and can't do that, it HAS to be someone else.

 

[bacon]

Well, it depends on what food. Most of the time, I use a work, even with pzza and other things that you can eat with your hands. I personally find it acceptable to eat things with your fork as long as you are able to cut it. But things such as steak and other tough things, use a fork. I find it desgusting when people use their hands for things such as steak. If I was on a date, I would definately be more cautious and try o use better manners. Of course, I would also expect the other person to do the same.

 

[Vadon]

What do you use to eat?

Depends on what I'm eating. Liquid based foods get a spoon, most things get a fork, finger-foods I'll usually use my fingers (unless they're greasy), and if it's too thick to cut with a fork, I use a knife.

Do you find it insulting, or get disgusted by, people eating with only a fork (or their fingers)?
Depends on where I'm eating. Different establishments have different rules and etiquette. If I was in a fancy diner, I'd expect to use all the silverware approrpiately. I'd also hope that others in my company would do the same as a sign of respect for their environment. Outside of fancy diners, at places like McDonalds or Barbecues, I really don't care. Eat however you see fit.

Do you believe Britain is being "americanised" in this aspect, turning us into savages?

Yup, every step y'all take toward becoming like us Yankees, the more savage you are. Actually, to be honest, I do think it is slightly disheartening. I don't necessarily want the upper echelons of society trying to impose these standards on those who are unwilling to adopt them, but I do like viewing Britain as a place of propriety. The rich culture and tradition forms a unique place. Here in the US, it sometimes seems as though our only traditions are blowing up people we get in scuffles with and profit off of every little thing we can get our grubby hands on.*

If you were on a date with someone, would the way they eat their food impact the outcome?
Absolutely. If we were enjoying a quiet, candle-lit dinner at home and she were to scoop up a dab of whipped cream with her finger and lick it off in a sensual manner, I imagine the outcome of the date would be influenced. Spoons be damned.

In a general dating context, however, it doesn't much matter to me so long as their method for eating fit the etiquette of the establishment. I view it as a sign of respect, and eating with ones fingers at a fancy place would be off-putting, to say the least.

On a date, I personally err on the side of using all the utensils when appropriate because I believe having good manners also shows respect to your date. Using silverware is a small, but noticeable way to do so.

*Actually, I'm a fairly patriotic fellow, and while I may be cynical of the US at times, I do think we have quite a few nice aspects.

 

[mawk]

traditionally my knife is the only utensil I use while eating, and indeed in the preparation of said meal (leaving aside whatever culinary rig I may construct (i.e. a spit) and the fire itself,) my sustenance being provided to me mostly by way of wild game which mist be skinned and butchered properly by a good sturdy knife. personally I find the decline in the knife's popularity more than shocking -- your knife is the only thing you can count on aside from your own wits, and it appalls me to think that so many choose to be without an item of such importance. if trends continue in this direction, all of Britons will be but a nation of bandits, unable to survive on wits alone without the cold assurance of an honest woodsman's knife.

 

[Zekallinos]

How about the chopstick? It's pretty convenient.

(Although people don't usually eat steak in China, it's generally pre-cut meat pieces mixed with some veggies, so they don't need knives.)

 

[Glitchfinder]

One thing people never take into account: Native Indian food (as in, food from India) is intended to be eaten with the hands, despite all of the sauces and whatnot. That's because it's a part of Indian culture to do so. If anything, they're further that way than Americans are. (Incidentally, I use a knife when I need to cut, and a fork when I don't unless I need a spoon. If I need a spoon, I use a spoon)

 

[Venetia]

knives are for steak, tough etc foods, and when you're in a fancy place.

otherwise it's forks all the way.

except for finger foods, like bone-in chicken or pizza

or if it's noodles or something, chopsticks

it's americanization to use forks?? i thought that in many other countries people just shirked silverware altogether.

maybe it's the brits that're too uptight instead of their being "savaged" by "american culture"

 

[Venetia]

OH GOD PEOPLE DONT UNDERSTAND WHAT KNIFE IS FOR WHAT FOOD ITEM OR WHAT SIDE THE SOUP SPOON GOES ON FUCKFUCKCUFKFUFFUUCKFUCKFUCK

how is that news, or even bad, at all

it's good to know "civilized etiquette" if you're prone to getting into fancy situations, or if you like them, like I do, but otherwise, who gives a shit

 

[Zelfouz]

I use either a fork or a spoon, depending on the dish. Knives are only useful if you have something that requires cutting, so I don't bother with one unless there is a need for it.

 

[Zeriab]

I use all sorts of equipment. Typically spoon, fork and knife. Fork being the one which I wouldn't miss as much.

What do you use to eat?
Uhm... All sorts of stuff. I guess one could say that I eat varied.
I always eat oatmeal as breakfast (where I use a spoon :P)
I think the most common supper is spaghetti bolognese which I usually eat with fork and knife.

Do you find it insulting, or get disgusted by, people eating with only a fork (or their fingers)?
It depends. I would probably be disgusted by people trying to eat a soup with the fingers. I would probably laugh at them (mockingly) should they try to use a fork instead of their fingers. It really depends on the food. It also heavily depends on the people in question. I would probably still find disgusting people disgusting if they only use a fork.

Do you believe Britain is being "Americanised" in this aspect, turning us into savages?
I do not believe so since I believe brits already are savages. (Stereotypical snobs as well, but that's another matter)

If you were on a date with someone, would the way they eat their food impact the outcome?
It's a possibility. Probably not, I have never experienced a date where it did.

*hugs*
- Zeriab

 

[Calibre]

I rarely eat with only one utensil, but then I rarely eat chips and chicken nuggets. Knives are good for trapping food to pick up with your fork, not just cutting, so is a spoon is you're having a pasta or sauce-based dish to pick up extra sauce. The main reason I eat with a spoon or knife is because it would irritate me to have to cut with my fork and then pick up my fork as well.

This is stupid anyway, no one in England cares how other people are eating in their homes. If you go out to a decent restaurant I think you should eat properly and with some etiquette as it's quite simply good manners, you can eat out of the dog bowl in your home for all I and most others care. So long as you have your mouth closed...

 

[mawk]

If you were on a date with someone, would the way they eat their food impact the outcome?

there is no room for courtship in the unforgiving wilderness. if a mate is unfit for survival, this will become apparent and nature itself will tear us apart. until that dark day, my love is boundless and unconditional

 

[Venetia]

there is no room for courtship in the unforgiving wilderness. if a mate is unfit for survival, this will become apparent and nature itself will tear us apart. until that dark day, my love is boundless and unconditional

that should be printed on the inside of an engagement ring, it's perfect

 

[KuidonNZ]

I use a knife and fork.
Though apparently I use them in the opposite hands to every one else.
And I dont normally cut with my knife, I pretty much just tear the food apart.....

 

[MCsephiroth13]

I use whatever the food requires. If I'm eating a chicken tender, I'll use my hands. If I'm eating noodles or pasta, a fork, and if I'm eating steak, then I'll use a fork and a knife. I don't see why it would be offensive to use just a fork, as long as they're not using their hands for spaghetti or some shit, I'd say it's acceptable.

 

[Incognitus]

Well, when it's a proper meal it's kind of necessary to have a bread knife, salad fork, soup spoon, main meal fork and a meat/fish knife depending on what you're having.

Of course, I wouldn't sweat about it anywhere but when you have your proper meals.

I'm perfectly happy eating with my hands (so long as I've disinfected them first!) And except for sporks. They're ingeniously simple, but those small plastic ones just annoy me.