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| Just in Time for Thanksgiving Dinner… Jennifer L. Scott is the New York Times bestselling author of Lessons from Madame Chic, At Home with Madame Chic and Polish Your Poise with Madame Chic, Mademoiselle Chic, and Connoisseur Kids. She is also the creator of the blog and YouTube channel, The Daily Connoisseur, where she explores the fine art of living. ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️ Etiquipedia will be posting more of this charming and gifted author’s work in the coming weeks and months. In the meantime, you can learn more about Jennifer at www.jenniferlscott.com |
Using a Fork, Knife, and Spoon
Did you know that people in different parts of the world use their fork and knife differently?
In America, people hold their forks in their right hand while eating. If you are going to cut your food, you move your fork to your left hand, place the tines (the sharp, pointy parts) down, and cut with a knife in your right hand. After cutting your food, you switch the fork to your right hand and resume eating.
In Europe, people always hold their fork, tines down, in their left hand and their knife in their right hand, not letting go of either for the duration of the meal. No matter how you use your knife and fork, there are a few mannerly rules to remember:
Avoid waving your knife and fork around while you are talking. Keep them low to your plate.
Always use your fork or spoon unless you are eating finger foods like a cheeseburger and fries. Even though it might be faster to eat mac 'n' cheese with your hands, for example, always use a fork or spoon. Then you won't get sauce all over your fingers.
When you are finished eating your entire meal, place the knife and fork side by side on your plate in the 11 o'clock position (as if on a clock).
You've learned a lot of tips on how to have great manners at the dinner table. This week, involve your entire family. Each weekday, you will focus on one skill.
Monday: good posture
Tuesday: proper napkin use
In Europe, people always hold their fork, tines down, in their left hand and their knife in their right hand, not letting go of either for the duration of the meal. No matter how you use your knife and fork, there are a few mannerly rules to remember:
Avoid waving your knife and fork around while you are talking. Keep them low to your plate.
Always use your fork or spoon unless you are eating finger foods like a cheeseburger and fries. Even though it might be faster to eat mac 'n' cheese with your hands, for example, always use a fork or spoon. Then you won't get sauce all over your fingers.
When you are finished eating your entire meal, place the knife and fork side by side on your plate in the 11 o'clock position (as if on a clock).
- Connoisseur KidsActivity -
Family Table Manners Challenge
You've learned a lot of tips on how to have great manners at the dinner table. This week, involve your entire family. Each weekday, you will focus on one skill.
Monday: good posture
Tuesday: proper napkin use
Wednesday: using your silverware correctly
Thursday: trying a new food
Friday: improving your conversation skills
Every night, announce the subject that you will all be focusing on. This isn't just for you; it's for Mom and Dad, too! As you move on to each new day, don't lose the skills you practiced the day before. In other words, by Friday, when you are working on your conversation skills, you will also be sitting with good posture, placing your napkin in your lap, and using your silverware correctly. Soon these good table manners will just naturally radiate from you!
Mealtimes are some of the most special times of the day. They are a chance to bond with your family members, nourish your body, and relax and unwind. When everyone uses their best manners at the table, the experience is even more enjoyable. (Remember, the more you practice, the more naturally they will come to you, and soon, you won't think twice about doing them.) – From “Connoisseur Kids: Etiquette, Manners, and Living Well for Parents and Their Little Ones,” by Jennifer L. Scott, 2019
Every night, announce the subject that you will all be focusing on. This isn't just for you; it's for Mom and Dad, too! As you move on to each new day, don't lose the skills you practiced the day before. In other words, by Friday, when you are working on your conversation skills, you will also be sitting with good posture, placing your napkin in your lap, and using your silverware correctly. Soon these good table manners will just naturally radiate from you!
Mealtimes are some of the most special times of the day. They are a chance to bond with your family members, nourish your body, and relax and unwind. When everyone uses their best manners at the table, the experience is even more enjoyable. (Remember, the more you practice, the more naturally they will come to you, and soon, you won't think twice about doing them.) – From “Connoisseur Kids: Etiquette, Manners, and Living Well for Parents and Their Little Ones,” by Jennifer L. Scott, 2019
Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia
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