Dining Styles

There are two styles of dining when using a knife and a fork. In America, the Zig-Zag style is primarily used. However, the rest of the world uses the Continental style of dining.

The Zig-Zag style requires 4 steps:

1. Pick up the fork in the left and the knife in the right hand and go into a cutting position with the fork tines turned down.

2. To cut a bit of meat, the knife always cuts above the tines of the fork. After cutting, place the knife at the top of the plate, blade facing you.

3. If you are right-handed, switch the fork from the left hand to the right hand for eating. If you are left-handed turn the fork over in your left hand.

4. Bring the fork up to your mouth and eat.

The Continental style requires 2 steps:

1. Pick up the fork and knife and go into a cutting position. The fork with the tines turned down is in the left hand and the knife is in the right.

2. Keep the position of the fork in your left hand and bring the food to your mouth.

Try using both styles and notice the difference in the steps it takes to take a bite!