Do not embarrass yourself over cutlery
Feb 20, 2009
ETIQUETTE FOR MEN<br><br>There is a loaded and widely travelled hotelier, whom one would have expected to have picked up some basic table manners on his travels. Well, he has not – perhaps because he does not know what table manners are in the first p
ETIQUETTE FOR MEN
Timothy Bukumuhe
There is a loaded and widely travelled hotelier, whom one would have expected to have picked up some basic table manners on his travels. Well, he has not – perhaps because he does not know what table manners are in the first place. To get a good idea of just how bad he and his friends are, you need to catch them having lunch on Friday after prayers.
By the time they are done, the mess on the table and the floor looks like they had just hosted a group of four year olds!
When it comes to cutlery, there is a perception among many that a spoon takes centre stage and because of that, many people do not know how to use a knife or a fork. Given the chance to have a bite to eat, they will request for a spoon. A spoon, in a nutshell, is meant for the soup as a starter or the dessert at the end of the meal.
For those people who do not know how to use a knife and fork, this is how it works. In general use, both spoon and fork are held horizontally by balancing them between the first knuckle of the middle finger and the tip of the index finger while the thumb steadies the handle. The knife is used with the tip of the index finger gently pressing out over the top of the blade to guide as you cut. You also must remember not to stab at the food with your fork. While the fork can be pressed gently but firmly say into the steak or pork chop to hold it into place, it allows for the steak knife to do the slicing with relative ease.
It is also important to remember to never to go fighting all over the plate with the steak or pork chop. If it is difficult to get some meat off the bone then leave it be. And never abandon your knife and fork to substitute them with your fingers.
And once you are done eating, lay your knife and fork side by side with the handles facing you. This signifies you are done with the meal and are ready to have your plate cleared away.
Timothy Bukumuhe
There is a loaded and widely travelled hotelier, whom one would have expected to have picked up some basic table manners on his travels. Well, he has not – perhaps because he does not know what table manners are in the first place. To get a good idea of just how bad he and his friends are, you need to catch them having lunch on Friday after prayers.
By the time they are done, the mess on the table and the floor looks like they had just hosted a group of four year olds!
When it comes to cutlery, there is a perception among many that a spoon takes centre stage and because of that, many people do not know how to use a knife or a fork. Given the chance to have a bite to eat, they will request for a spoon. A spoon, in a nutshell, is meant for the soup as a starter or the dessert at the end of the meal.
For those people who do not know how to use a knife and fork, this is how it works. In general use, both spoon and fork are held horizontally by balancing them between the first knuckle of the middle finger and the tip of the index finger while the thumb steadies the handle. The knife is used with the tip of the index finger gently pressing out over the top of the blade to guide as you cut. You also must remember not to stab at the food with your fork. While the fork can be pressed gently but firmly say into the steak or pork chop to hold it into place, it allows for the steak knife to do the slicing with relative ease.
It is also important to remember to never to go fighting all over the plate with the steak or pork chop. If it is difficult to get some meat off the bone then leave it be. And never abandon your knife and fork to substitute them with your fingers.
And once you are done eating, lay your knife and fork side by side with the handles facing you. This signifies you are done with the meal and are ready to have your plate cleared away.