Silverware: American or Continental

Also, at least around here, the terms "cutlery" or "flatware" just appear on packaging. Fast food restaurants (and other form of take out) and also lots of caterers use plastic silverware (some even LOOKS silver now)

 

I do it continental and American, I really don't think about which way I'm doing it, it just always happens to be whichever way depending on which hand I have the knife in

 

I'm painfully American because I'm very right handed.

 

Usually American style, although I was taught not to keep switching back and forth, you turn the fork tines down, then use it to hold the food while you cut it all up into bit size pieces, then switch hands and use the fork tines up to eat all the pieces.
I try to eat Continental though, since my husband is from Germany, and it's not so rushed eating. (My family has an annoying habit of rushing though meals, and starting to clear the table before everyone is done eating).

 

I'm glad I read this while eating! Made it much easier to figure out what I do!... I do American, which seems kind of silly but I always switch the fork over to the right hand.

 

I'm ambidextrous, so I actually use both forms without even thinking about it! :lol:

If I have to pick the one I use more often, it's probably Continental.

 

Continental. I didn't think people actually used the knife with their left hand. I wouldn't be able to do it. If I'm not using a knife though, I always hold the fork with my right hand.

 

You forgot "redneck" style. Like most people around here I hold the fork in my and left the knife in my right. I cut the whole piece of meat up all in one go. Put the knife on the table. Grab the fork with my right and eat. Well okay, occasionally most people do eat a bite or two directly off the tip of the knife while cutting up the rest.

 

Wow, I was just talking about this... for some... strange reason. Aside the point: I hold my silverware both ways as I eat with either hand. Often if I am eating with my right hand I will eat with the American-ly, but with my left hand I noticed I eat Continental-ly (makin' up words ftw)

 

What about Thai? (hold fork and spoon, fork guides food into spoon, put spoon in mouth)

I use continental because I'm one of those "satanic" left handers. Eating food with my right hand feels weird and awkward.

 

Continental.

 

I've never heard of this American way but it sounds like an effort.

 

Here in Chile I've never seen anyone eating American style as you describe.

 

Unlike the family silver, and there are 5 services for 12 in different patterns, I prefer to to eat in the continental style. It just makes more sense, except for peas. My wife and I went with Christofle, because of all the sterling. Like the service, but a waste of money. It's larger so it suits my hands better, but I doubt if my STBX wife would agree.

As for eating the way I do, it's because my father's Scottish, and I spent a good deal of time in the UK. My mother coming from a more gentile family looked at this rather askance, but all that laying down and picking up of cutlery really makes no sense.

 

What's this silverware you speak of? I just use my hands!

 

American style I think...
I use my right hand for a fork and left hand for my knife. I hold down the food to cut with a fork in my right hand and cut with a knife in my left hand.

Would Continental style be the opposite of this??

 

Actually, I wouldn't consider you to be American style. You use the right hand for both the fork and the knife at different times with American style.

I guess the closest match I'd see is perhaps calling you "Reverse Continental."