A person who is going to visit well-known people will not think about in which hand a knife, in which fork should be, when meat or fish is served. In the company of "friends" this is solved simply.
But if it was a question of celebrating something in a restaurant, then I don’t feel like pounding my face in the dirt. Everyone feverishly begins to remember what they know about this, they are interested in acquaintances, how to behave properly at the table. The main thing that excites them at this moment is in which hand is the knife, in which fork?
These cutlery like no other (except a spoon, of course) everyone uses every day. But in the restaurant in front of the visitor is not one knife, not one fork. There are several, and each item for a particular dish. In order not to get confused in a large number of devices, one rule must be remembered: on the table are the devices necessary for those dishes that are ordered. That is, as the dishes change, tableware also changes. First, use those that are further from the plate. With each new dish, you should gradually take the following devices that lie farther than others.
To the right or left?
In which hand to hold the knife and fork, one should know who accepted the invitation and came to the restaurant. The knife is taken in the right hand, and the fork - in the left. What is cut with a knife? This sharp cutlery is used to cut pancakes and meat dishes cooked in one piece. Fresh vegetables, noodles, omelettes and puddings do not need a knife.
How to hold
In which hand to hold the knife and fork, figured out, but how to hold them, what are the features? Both the knife and fork “give” their handles in the palm of their hand, and the index fingers should be free and lean on the top of the instruments. This important part will also play a positive role: it will be enough for the index fingers to make light pressure on the surface of the knife and fork.
Thanks to this pressure, a piece of the right size will be easily cut off. The fork should have its teeth down to prick the cut piece and put it in the mouth. If you do not need to cut anything, this cutlery should be held like a spoon, with its teeth up. In no case is it recommended to eat with a knife. Portion slices are eaten with a fork and left hand. You can not swap the fork and knife with food. If you need to take a break during a meal or a pause for communication, the cutlery that you just used should be supported on a worktop and placed on a table with handles.
American style
You can cut meat in the American style. Is there any difference in this case, in which hand is the knife, in which fork? By tradition, in America, meat is first cut into small portions, and then eat as usual, holding a fork in his right hand. This is not European. By this type of etiquette, all meat is not cut, but only by a piece, which is immediately sent to the mouth. Of course, everyone will choose their own option, which is more convenient for him. There will be no big trouble if a person prefers American etiquette. It is hard to imagine that any of the visitors to the restaurant or dinner party will make a remark about the right hand in which the knife and fork are held. People are too busy with themselves and their problems. But, without a doubt, will cause angry eyes and indignation of all guests present loud champing and eating with their hands.
Using fork
There are many subtleties to table etiquette. Briefly about some of them. Garnish can be alternated with meat or chopped on a fork like a small kebab a piece of meat and some of the vegetables in the plate. If, for example, pork and tomatoes are in different dishes, you can not mix them and transfer to one plate. Salad leaves are usually stacked as a whole, and they are cut with a fork, not a knife. Do not use it if meatballs and meatballs of all kinds are served.
Shovel instead of a knife
There used to be an expression: bird and fish are eaten by hand. It is not known who invented this first, but modern etiquette is categorically against it. For fish dishes, special shovels are used, which are used instead of a knife, or there will be two forks near the plate.
Sliced bread is eaten without biting off a whole portion, but breaking off in small pieces. Recently, very popular dishes from Japan with exotic names “sushi” and “rolls” are not cut, but eaten in whole portions. They are already quite small.
Conclusion
In which hand is the knife, in which fork is not the only question that arises when studying the rules of behavior during meals. There are so many subtleties! It is no accident that in all higher education institutions, especially in the institutes of culture and art, there is a special course in etiquette.
Now you know the knife and fork in which hand should be. If you want to learn all the rules for using cutlery (for example, where to put your elbows) and understand all the nuances of eating meat, fish, poultry and other products, you should study the etiquette of behavior at the table.