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Original poster

Do you use a knife and fork?

169 replies

beebee25 · 11/11/2025 07:28

I was in a pub the other day and was queuing at the bar for a drink. There was a group of people eating a roast dinner nearby. One of the diners was just using a fork to eat her food. Scooping it up on her fork and shovelling it in. She seemed to be struggling with her Yorkshire pudding and got her knife out for a bit and chopped it up and then reverted to a fork.. why would somebody eat like this? I appreciate she may have been American but I have noticed recently a few young people eating like this. This makes me irrationally irritated and I have no idea why.

OP posts:
Borborygmus · 11/11/2025 22:20

Ddakji · 11/11/2025 18:58

Because eating is (or should be) a social activity and no one wants to share a table with someone chomping with their mouth open and spreading their elbows across the table.

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Well the former is not great, but I wouldn't be bothered in the slightest by the latter.

RubySquid · 11/11/2025 22:20

CanadianJohn · 11/11/2025 18:50

I don't inquire into other people's bathroom habits, so why would I know which hand anyone uses to wipe their bum. 🙄

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Well I'd imagine it would be tge dominant one. Cant see how people would use both hands to wipe their bum

angelikacpickles · 11/11/2025 19:50

Ddakji · 11/11/2025 18:58

Because eating is (or should be) a social activity and no one wants to share a table with someone chomping with their mouth open and spreading their elbows across the table.

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Well, yes, but which hand you hold your knife has no impact whatsoever on anybody else's enjoyment of their meal. So some table manners are more important than others.

DuchessofStaffordshire · 11/11/2025 19:43

I think the setting and circumstances play a big role but would agree that good manners are important. If I were eating at an Indian restaurant, for example, I'd use my hands for the most part but I wouldn't sit at the table at home and cram fistfuls of spagbol into my mouth. If I fancy putting my feet up with a bowl of risotto on the sofa then yes, I'll use a fork. If I'm attending a formal meal in a restaurant then I'll use my cutlery 'properly'/as I was taught. I think it's important that children are taught how to use cutlery correctly alongside good table manners and I do pull mine up on it. I don't want to sit at a table with someone shovelling huge forkfuls of food into their mouth, talking with their mouths full and spraying food everywhere.

intrepidpanda · 11/11/2025 19:36

Ddakji · 11/11/2025 19:15

Social mores are important to anyone who isn’t an idiot.

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Table manners and intelligence are not related.

TeenLifeMum · 11/11/2025 19:27

Dd2 with no special needs and good behaviour in general insists on stabbing food with a fork and eating without using her knife. Drives me insane. She’s 14. I’m hoping she’ll grow out of it!

Evaka · 11/11/2025 19:27

QuickPeachPoet · 11/11/2025 13:22

YANBU. Peoples' table manners have become non existent or at best disgusting.

Lol

mumofoneAloneandwell · 11/11/2025 19:26

My tall for 6, autistic, dd sat on my lap and had me feed her her nandos tonight

I definitely got stares 😒😔

Genevieva · 11/11/2025 19:24

Berlinlover · 11/11/2025 09:07

I judge if someone uses their knife with their left hand and their fork with their right hand.

What about left handed people?

Wednesdaysotherchild · 11/11/2025 19:23

I don’t really eat food often that needs to be cut up so I tend to just use a fork and not a knife. Don’t eat meat, never have. I don’t give a flying fig what anyone else thinks, I eat neatly otherwise.

Simonjt · 11/11/2025 19:21

I use my hands mainly, occasionally a spoon, very rarely a fork and never a knife beyond food prep.

Etey · 11/11/2025 19:19

I eat like this most of the time, it’s just easier and more comfortable for me. Like others I prefer using my hand for certain foods or chopsticks given the choice.

Ddakji · 11/11/2025 19:15

intrepidpanda · 11/11/2025 19:07

So table manners are preferable, not actually important. Thought you were gonna say it prevented cancer.

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Social mores are important to anyone who isn’t an idiot.

intrepidpanda · 11/11/2025 19:07

Ddakji · 11/11/2025 18:58

Because eating is (or should be) a social activity and no one wants to share a table with someone chomping with their mouth open and spreading their elbows across the table.

Show quote history

So table manners are preferable, not actually important. Thought you were gonna say it prevented cancer.

Ddakji · 11/11/2025 18:58

intrepidpanda · 11/11/2025 18:56

Why are table manners important?

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Because eating is (or should be) a social activity and no one wants to share a table with someone chomping with their mouth open and spreading their elbows across the table.

intrepidpanda · 11/11/2025 18:56

MsSmartShoes · 11/11/2025 18:39

Table manners are important. Manners are important.

Why are table manners important?

CanadianJohn · 11/11/2025 18:50

RubySquid · 11/11/2025 12:07

Lol I can eat curry and rice with my hands. And I don't know anyone who uses left hand to wipe their bum

A roast dinner though if use a knife and fork

I don't inquire into other people's bathroom habits, so why would I know which hand anyone uses to wipe their bum. 🙄

Hankunamatata · 11/11/2025 18:45

Iv called into a terrible habit of eating with a fork. It goes back to breast feeding and holding babies for years and eating with one hand. Im trying really hard to break it

ClaredeBear · 11/11/2025 18:44

Im afraid I picked up this shocking habit when I had no choice but to use only my right hand to eat. Apologies.

LondonLady1980 · 11/11/2025 18:40

My husband only uses a fork and a spoon to eat his main meals with. I find it odd to be honest.

MsSmartShoes · 11/11/2025 18:39

Table manners are important. Manners are important.

Didimum · 11/11/2025 18:38

I always use a knife and fork, but seriously, OP, get a grip. The thought of you sitting there noticing this and getting irritated is just ridiculous.

intrepidpanda · 11/11/2025 18:33

Depends what in eating. I prefer fingers if I can. For risotto or chilli I use a spoon. For a lot of other things just a fork. I only have a knife for larger bits of meat.

youalright · 11/11/2025 18:22

I hardly ever use a knife i always grab one and may use occasionally but mainly just use a fork don't know about anyone else as I really don't pay any attention

ConflictofInterest · 11/11/2025 18:22

I only ever use a spoon.