I once read a rant by an Australian writer (dlowan it was the late Max Harris) who berated Americans for having what he called "kindergarten dining habits." He dissected the aforementioned use of knife and fork etc. In contrast to that I also read a rebuttal where someone pointed out that Americans, unlike Brits, didn't "pile" their food on their fork. I suppose it's what you're used to. I prefer a neutral stance and use my fingers, it avoids squabbles about knives and forms.
I remember watching a film set in WW2 where a couple of OSS agents were in Occupied Europe and one of the agents gave them away when he did the cut-with-knife-then-rest-and-use-fork thing. Everyone in the restaurant stopped eating to stare at them. I think the Gestapo burst in about then, right on cue and it wasn't to chide them about their dining practices.
As a very young bloke I worked at Woomera when it was really busy and the USAF had a lot of personnel working at a super-secret base up there. Most of the Americans were good fun, we occasionally had problems with one or two but the USAF were onside. Anyone coming under notice was shipped out on the next MAC flight.
But the slang was sometimes bewildering and sometimes alarming. I was in the men's dunny one evening at the Mess in which I lived and was startled to hear an American airman who was similarly engaged at the urinal remark to me in a loud voice, "You know, there ain't nothin' like a nice piece-a ass!"
I found out later he was referring to the rather attractive young lady he was busy wooing in the bar.
Lord Ellpus wrote:cyphercat wrote:yeah, why DO we do that with the knife and fork? And yet, I can't think of a better way to do it...
Why not try keeping the fork in the left hand, and use it to shovel the food into the mouth.
It works for us.....
Good question. I have a fairly weak left handed tendency, write with my left hand, but play most sports right-handed. I recall a youthful perplexity with the absurdity of switching the fork to the right hand, and, concluding that it was a useless affectation, developed the habit of using the utensils more or leas as Europeans do - but without pointing the tongs of the fork downward.
I am at a strict disadvantage, really.
Being left handed, I use only the left to feed my face with a fork AND spoon.
If I had to use my right hand, I would probably end up putting the food up my nose, or in my ear.
Anyways, I am off to bed now (midnight here)....so......
HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE!
I hope that it's all going well for you.
Nighty night.
I wish I was left handed.I once had a friendship with a left-handed lady but there are so few of them.A left handed bloke has a much larger field in which to choose from.
goodfielder wrote:I once read a rant by an Australian writer (dlowan it was the late Max Harris) who berated Americans for having what he called "kindergarten dining habits." He dissected the aforementioned use of knife and fork etc. In contrast to that I also read a rebuttal where someone pointed out that Americans, unlike Brits, didn't "pile" their food on their fork. I suppose it's what you're used to. I prefer a neutral stance and use my fingers, it avoids squabbles about knives and forms.
I remember watching a film set in WW2 where a couple of OSS agents were in Occupied Europe and one of the agents gave them away when he did the cut-with-knife-then-rest-and-use-fork thing. Everyone in the restaurant stopped eating to stare at them. I think the Gestapo burst in about then, right on cue and it wasn't to chide them about their dining practices.
As a very young bloke I worked at Woomera when it was really busy and the USAF had a lot of personnel working at a super-secret base up there. Most of the Americans were good fun, we occasionally had problems with one or two but the USAF were onside. Anyone coming under notice was shipped out on the next MAC flight.
But the slang was sometimes bewildering and sometimes alarming. I was in the men's dunny one evening at the Mess in which I lived and was startled to hear an American airman who was similarly engaged at the urinal remark to me in a loud voice, "You know, there ain't nothin' like a nice piece-a ass!"
I found out later he was referring to the rather attractive young lady he was busy wooing in the bar.
Lol! Just thank heaven he didn't say "fanny"!
Max had way too much bile.
Never recovered from Ern Malley, methinks....but I digress.
I can think of nothing dumber than to criticise other cultures for how table ware is used! (That being said, my own manners are drilled in so firmly that it really distresses me to see someone's fingers atop the blade of a knife, or the business part of a fork!)
I loved eating in the British manner when I lived there. It makes more sense.
Here it's seen as pretentious, putting on airs. (I did it for a while when I got back, got lots of looks, regressed.)
Although I kind of like having one hand free, too.
I think I may move to Britain some day. I like the lifestyle over there, or at least the little I know of it.
All of Europe uses fork and knife, and no matter how long
I am in the US, I cannot get used to the American etiquette of
juggling the silverware. Even my child has adopted the
European way, as it seems much easier for her too.
Quote:Lol! Just thank heaven he didn't say "fanny"!
Max had way too much bile.
Never recovered from Ern Malley, methinks....but I digress.
I can think of nothing dumber than to criticise other cultures for how table ware is used! (That being said, my own manners are drilled in so firmly that it really distresses me to see someone's fingers atop the blade of a knife, or the business part of a fork!)
I still chuckle about that bloke. He burst in with all the enthusiasm of a man on a mission - a successful mission.
Yes Max was burned badly by the Ern Malley affair dlowan. I agree, I think he never got over it.
Can I make my own digression and say how much it annoys me to see someone using a knife like a pen? Can't stand it for some reason. I am definitely one who puts the index finger along the spine(?) of the knife.
Funny, all the meals I've had in the US in restaurants and people's homes and never heard a comment about the way I use a knife and fork. I suppose it's called politeness :wink:
CrazyDiamond wrote:I think I may move to Britain some day. I like the lifestyle over there, or at least the little I know of it.
....and when you do, I will take you down the Pub and buy you a pint of Adnams Broadside. That'll put hairs on yer chest.
Your avatar seems familiar by the way......Pink Floyd?
Lord Ellpus wrote:....and when you do, I will take you down the Pub and buy you a pint of Adnams Broadside. That'll put hairs on yer chest.
Your avatar seems familiar by the way......Pink Floyd?
Why yes it is, thanks for noticing.
Adnams Broadside? Is that a brand of beer?
It sounds like an old ship...
How's it taste?
Lord Ellpus wrote:CrazyDiamond wrote:I think I may move to Britain some day. I like the lifestyle over there, or at least the little I know of it.
....and when you do, I will take you down the Pub and buy you a pint of Adnams Broadside. That'll put hairs on yer chest.
Your avatar seems familiar by the way......Pink Floyd?
Wish You Were Here, as I recall.
Adnams is a fine old Brewery, based in Suffolk (could be just across the border in Norfolk)......
A friend of mine worked there, and discovered that they use the left over "mash" from the beer production, to feed the pigs at a nearby farm.
Those pigs are probably the happiest, and most relaxed piggies in the land, methinks.
At Christmas, the staff are given a whole ham as part of their bonus and, having tasted it, I can say that it is bloody marvellous. Three slices and you're drunk!
"Broadside" is one of their real ales (a bitter), it is full of flavour, not gassy and slips down a treat when drunk at room temperature, in front of a roaring log fire in the Pub.
Marvellous!
dlowan wrote:
Wish You Were Here, as I recall.
....and I wish I was there, as well.
Bloody freezing cold over here at the mo.
Not here...heatin' up.
Goddess, what riveting conversation...
I'm ill, Ellpus...help with some sparkle, wit and raillery.
I have an Adnam's Broadside story. But best not told I think. I came across it - or it came across me - in a lovely pub in Downham Market in Norfolk.
I have a can of Adnams Suffolk Strong Ale which alleges it comes from the Sole Bay Brewery, Southwold, Suffolk.
It's on display - it reminds me of the insidious nature of British ales.
goodfielder wrote:it reminds me of the insidious nature of British ales.
You mean?:
it reminds me of the insidious nature of British, alas! :wink:
goodfielder wrote:I am definitely one who puts the index finger along the spine(?) of the knife.
Everybody does it this way in France...
georgeob1 wrote:Perhaps, but enthusiasm, joy, and hope are the fuel of life.
More than that, George, more than that!
georgeob1 wrote:Besides I'm only sometimes aware of my excesses.
I seldom have excesses..
georgeob1 wrote:For the rest I am what I seem to be. How about you?
I'm definitely not what I seem to be...
