To eat a burger with my hands?

[Happytobefree17]

In a gastro pub?

My friend is aghast that I didn't use cutlery. Thinks I'm some sort of Neanderthal for eating with my hands.

Who is right?

Yes, but the op's friend was snooty about her using her hands, hence the responses about etiquette and Hyacinth Bucket!

Sure, but all the people saying it's wrong to eat burgers with cutlery are just as pathetic. And the fancy restaurant selling expensive burgers can do one if they don't like how people eat their burgers.

I get annoyed if I have to use cutlery for a burger (which I would only do if it's too big) because then it's hard to get the taste of everything together and it means I usually end up leaving half of it!

I am all for hands unless it's so big that you are going to make an almighty mess - but not cos of what other's think - because you might ruin your clothes!

Any restaurant that serves burgers is nowhere near posh enough that I would feel compelled to use cutlery.

This thread is eye opening. I must live in a city of Hyacinth Buckets then because most people seem to be using knife and fork to eat burgers and pizzas in restaurants as far as I can recall. Hell, I used a knife and fork for a grilled cheese sandwich last week and nobody looked appalled.

Or perhaps they're less likely to be pretentious tossers, and don't give a crap if it's not "authentic" not to want to get grease all over their face and hands.

You must.

How would anyone eat something like this with their hands?

Crumbs, the Ivy sells burgers. So do the Wolseley and the Savoy. Many "half decent" restaurants do - you sound like one of Bertie Wooster's aunts.

Unless you are happy to look like Donald Trump (i.e. a fucking creepy weirdo) you should NEVER eat a burger with cutlery, even in the fanciest of restaurants.

Actually I remember at a work lunch my boss eating one with cutlery. I think it's just because her cats bum mouth doesn't open wide enough to fit a burger in.

My DW went to a posh all girls school and there was one teacher who insisted that the girls eat bananas with a knife and fork. The normal way was "obscene" apparently

Ok yes, fair point but the Ivy and Wolsey sell themselves as modern restaurants and my children are more likely to book a table than we are.

I'm more confused by the people who say "I take the top bun off as it's too much bread for me".

If you don't want a meal where bread is involved why the fuck are you ordering a burger ?!?!

I'm being lighthearted mostly

Saskin clearly the only acceptable way would be to mash it down to an edible size, get it all over your face and top and hands, because god forbid you look "weird" doing something rational like, you know, using the cutlery provided.

Mumsnet never fails at getting two side of a completely unimportant issue ranting and raving at each other.

My response to your friend would have been to ask why she cares how I eat my burger.

Re: pizza, I use a knife and fork if it comes as a whole (like in Pizza Express, for example) and I use my hands if it comes in slices (you have to assume that's what they expect, if they're slicing it for you.

Well yes if the burger were too large to bite into obviously you would need to use a knife and fork. I'm going with the view that if a restaurants serve burgers that are small enough to bite into then it's totally acceptable to do so.
As an aside I was once treated in an eating disorders unit. Burgers came up once in the three meal rotation. We were forced to pick the burger up and bite into it as this was deemed 'normal' eating.

And in response to the poster who said about eating with hand and then licking fingers. That is grim and never acceptable. That is what napkins are for.

Def prefer eating burgers with hands - there's something incredibly satisfying about taking a bite from a lovely burger. Mum likes to cut hers up. Both are fine

You eat a burger with your hands. Cutlery will just make it fall apart when you try to cut it

I've cut a burger in half but then picked it up, I did have a bunless burger and used cutlery x

Wow, I've never ever thought about eating a burger with cutlery wherever I am eating. Surely the point about burger buns is so that one can consume a burger with one's hands? I would eat burgers with my hands wherever I am. This is the first time I have ever heard of using cutlery to eat a burger and I have had plenty of burgers in restaurants with friends and acquaintances.

I think I would use a knife & fork, but it depends really. I eat pizza with my hands and in fact rip the mick out of my DH because he always uses a knife and fork. Sniggering at the poster whose children would be more likely to book the Ivy dontchaknow - Bertie Wooster's aunt for sure.

This is how you eat a burger!

I'd use cutlery but then I usually only eat one half of the bun so it's easier cutting it...that would include wraps, sandwiches etc...if in restaurants...

Obviously in a fast food restaurant I'd eat it with my hands...

Burgers are eaten with your hands, obviously. That's what the bread is for.

I've seen knife and fork burger eaters when I've been out and thought it a a little weird.

Exception being when you get your burger really piled high with extras like cheese, onion rings, guacamole and bacon I never do this obviously... then you might use knife and fork to manage some of the topping until the burger is manageable to eat properly.

Sorry, but I think it is revolting to eat any food, apart from sandwiches or bite sized bits and pieces, with your hands! Cutlery is there to prevent you getting food all over your hands - not to mention the grease. And I hate to see children picking up food with their hands and stuffing it in their mouths, and I don't mean toddlers, I mean children of 6 or 7 who are quite capable of using a knife and fork.

Unclench.