Now that you can set the table, here is how to use what is on it. Americans hold the fork and knife in two ways, and both are correct.
Key idea
To cut, hold the fork in your left hand, tines down, and the knife in your right, with your index finger along the back of the blade. Cut one or two bites at a time. In the American style, you then set the knife on the edge of the plate and switch the fork to your right hand to eat. In the Continental style, the fork stays in your left hand and the knife stays in your right.
Why it works
Cutting a bite or two at a time keeps your food warm and the meal calm. A finger along the back of the knife gives you control, so you cut gently instead of sawing. Both styles are tidy and quiet, which is what matters.
| American style | Continental style | |
|---|---|---|
| Cutting | Fork left, knife right | Fork left, knife right |
| Eating | Knife down; fork moves to the right hand, tines up | Fork stays in the left hand, tines down |
| Correct in the U.S.? | Yes | Yes |
Worked example: Cutting chicken
Omar has a piece of chicken. How should he cut it?
- Fork in his left hand, tines down, holding the chicken still; knife in his right, finger along the back.
- Cut one bite, eat it, then cut the next.
Answer: One bite at a time, fork left and knife right while cutting.
Worked example: A guest who eats differently
At dinner, Hana notices her cousin’s friend keeps the fork in her left hand the whole meal. Is that a mistake?
- No. That is the Continental style, used across Europe and by many Americans.
- Both styles are correct in the U.S.
- There is nothing to correct or comment on.
Answer: No. It is the Continental style, and it is correct.
Common mistake
Holding the knife like a dagger in a fist, or cutting the whole plate of food at once. Hold it with your finger along the back and cut one or two bites at a time.
Customs differ. Some families eat certain dishes with chopsticks, bread or their hands. Each way is correct in its place.