How To Not Look Like A Gringo.

[ty.gregory]

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

One thing only touched upon is the matter of "class". Obviously Americans don't have any but much of the rest of the world does .

Now just hold on one damn minute there, Mister Lord Fauntleroy! I may pick my nose and I may eat my boogers, but I eat my boogers with a knife and fork while seated at a table. I cut my boogers into a few small slices, set my knife down gently on the plate, and then transfer my fork from my left hand to my right. Do you take the time to do that? No, I doubt very much you do. And I chew with my mouth closed, thank you very much. And yes, before you ask, I wash my hands before I pick my nose!

I got yer "No Class" right eeeeerrr.

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by ty.gregory

... then transfer my fork from my left hand to my right. Do you take the time to do that?

Transfer your fork?

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

Transfer your fork?

Yes that's where the " classy" bit ( as opposed to class ) left the room.

Americans use a knife followed by a fork as opposed to a knife and fork ! lol

Dave

[svmariane]

Re: that knife and fork bit... Since this thread has drifted so far anyway

So back in 1776 or thereabouts the "American" colonists were a tad upset with 'Ol King George III. A bit of a fracas thus ensued.

Now back then in the colonies life revolved around the Inns and Public Houses, these being good places to meet travelers and catch up on out-of-town events. It developed as code that when eating a meal in on of those places, placing the knife down and transferring fork to the right hand indicated to those "in the know" that this traveler was part of the conspiracy. The right folk would then approach.

Now, everybody loves a winner, and everybody wants to be on the winning side. After the war and as word leaked about the code, folk began imitating it as a method to raise their stature, as showing that their family was part of the conspiracy and not mere tag-along participants. Children pick up what their parent's do. Fast forward and all American families now do that knife/fork thing.

And now you know "the rest of the story".

[goboatingnow]

I suspect that's a bit of a myth. The right handed fork only method , was an original European method brought to the US by early settlers. The two implement style is a more modern European invention.

Dave

[Blue Crab]

Good story. We all do the transfer. Or ... ahem ...we used to.

We cool.

[ty.gregory]

Originally Posted by svmariane

Re: that knife and fork bit... Since this thread has drifted so far anyway

So back in 1776 or thereabouts the "American" colonists were a tad upset with 'Ol King George III. A bit of a fracas thus ensued.

Now back then in the colonies life revolved around the Inns and Public Houses, these being good places to meet travelers and catch up on out-of-town events. It developed as code that when eating a meal in on of those places, placing the knife down and transferring fork to the right hand indicated to those "in the know" that this traveler was part of the conspiracy. The right folk would then approach.

Now, everybody loves a winner, and everybody wants to be on the winning side. After the war and as word leaked about the code, folk began imitating it as a method to raise their stature, as showing that their family was part of the conspiracy and not mere tag-along participants. Children pick up what their parent's do. Fast forward and all American families now do that knife/fork thing.

And now you know "the rest of the story".

I like this story and I thank you, svmariane! It is a delightful story and one I absolutely believe.

[ty.gregory]

Originally Posted by goboatingnow

I suspect that's a bit of a myth. The right handed fork only method , was an original European method brought to the US by early settlers. The two implement style is a more modern European invention.

Dave

Sorry, I've read this three times now, and still don't get it. Disregarding the Native Americans, everything was brought to the US by early settlers. Of course, these days we call them, U.S. Citizens.

A "More modern European invention" is a lovely thought, one we all look forward to.

[Blue Crab]

Wot he said!

[svmariane]

Forks and Knives ...

WiKi says: "It was not until the 18th century that the fork became commonly used in Great Britain... The fork did not become popular in North America until near the time of the American Revolution."

Ergo: Since WiKi is never wrong then fork usage was becoming popular on both sides of the Pond roughly in sync - and as the Colonists were British, really, don'cha'know, and "home" custom is custom wherever the body might roam, the fork stayed in the left hand unless ye be a rebel!

Prove me wrong....

[ty.gregory]

Yeah.

[transformer]

O.K. regarding settlers, revolution, forks and knives how many of you know which country first recognized US as a sovereign state.

I can bet, you can not even guess....

[Andrew Troup]

I would have thought France, but I'm guessing that's too obvious?

[Richard5]

I suggest the El Commadante ensemble from the Jefe collection. Like a boss.

[Richard5]

Originally Posted by transformer

O.K. regarding settlers, revolution, forks and knives how many of you know which country first recognized US as a sovereign state.

I can bet, you can not even guess....

Easy peasy. It was Morocco. Look to the history of the Barbary pirates for the rest.