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Holding Utensils

Lesson 6 from: Manners @ The Table: A Modern Guide to Dining Etiquette

Daniel Post Senning

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Lesson Info

6. Holding Utensils

Next Lesson: Posture

Lesson Info

Holding Utensils

your utensils are your tools for eating and how you hold them tells people that you know how to use these tools in the most efficient and effective way possible. Holding your utensils correctly will give you control over the basic implements that are designed to help you eat your food. So let's think about holding utensils now. Most often you want to start with your knife, and you want to think about using your knife in your right hand. Why? Because it's your for most people dominant. Hand the hand that gives you the most control for using this implement that sometimes has a sharp edge and historically was even a weapon. So you want to use your knife with your right hand or your dominant. If you're a true lefty, if you're someone that does everything with your left hand, you can use your knife in your left hand. But if you're one of those ambidextrous lefties, go ahead and use your knife in your right hand cause that's what's gonna appear most natural to the other people you're eating ...

with. So let's begin with the knife. You start by placing the handle in the palm of your hand wrapped three fingers around the base. Bring your index or forefinger to the back of the neck and then complete the grass by reaching around with your thumb. You're gonna hold your knife like this in front of you. The grip for your fork is remarkably similar. It's just gonna be in your left hand. So in an open handling the handle in the palm of your hand wrapped three fingers around the base. Bring your index finger to the neck or the back of the fork, and then bring your thumb around to complete and secure the grip with your fork in your left hand and your knife in your right. It's going to look like this now. If you are using your fork in your right hand, the group is going to change your transition. That grip is you move your four from your left to your right hand. One easy way to think about is if you were going to sign your name with a pen, keep the grip the same and turn your wrist over the same control that you would use toe. Write your name to dot and I and Cross A T will give you control while you're picking up your food. If you're using your spoon, the grip is going to be remarkably similar, as if you were to sign your name. Keep the grip the same. Turn your wrist over. Another way. To think about this is to create a shelf with three fingers. Then bring your thumb around and your index finger to complete and secure the grip. You found the correct balance point on that utensil for using it effectively. That's it. Those are the basic grips for using your knife, your fork and your spoon.

Ratings and Reviews

Greg R
 

Thank you Daniel. I found this short course very informative in a nice, light, and fun way! I've done ok over the decades after watching this (thanks for instilling some good habits mom), but of course I learned lots I didn't know also. I wish I could have watched this course long ago to relieve nervousness at posh 5 star restaurants, and/or at dinner with posh hosts or someone's parents :) I caught this on free stream day, but have added it to my wishlist and will eventually buy it for occasional refresher! Great Course!

Michael Friesen
 

Daniel's course provides an excellent overview of the essentials of dining etiquette. The content is contemporary and reflects the more relaxed atmosphere that prevails in most dining situations today. I would definitely recommend this course to a friend looking to review the basics of dining etiquette.

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