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Archiver > GEN-TRIVIA-ENG > 2004-03 > 1079310232


From: "Stan Bayne" <>
Subject: Re: [TRIVVIES] Re: Rules of the Table
Date: Mon, 15 Mar 2004 13:23:52 +1300
References: <4054D28D.8080600@shaw.ca> <4054EDFB.F0104A46@sympatico.ca>


Marlene -

The New Zealand way is exactly as you describe it. It came here with the
original British settlers. Also, for dessert, the spoon is held in the
right hand and the fork in the left hand. Oddly enough, all the
left-handed folk I know use their cutlery in the same way as the
right-handers; one would expect them to reverse it.

My mother, who came from England, always insisted that when we had finished
the meal the knife and fork must be placed together on the plate at the V
(five) position on the clock. I still do so - don't ask me why!

During the war I was in an American camp for a while, and those chaps were
fascinated by the way I handled the cutlery. As one of them said, "Boy, if
I tried to do that I'd have my dinner all over the room!"

But it's all a matter of upbringing. How many of us can handle chopsticks
with ease?

Stan in warm autumnal New Zealand.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Marlene" <>

> Where the fork is held in the left hand, the knife in the right
> to cut food and to help carry food to the fork. The fork is held, tines
> down, and the knife used to move food unto the fork or support food so the
> fork can pick it up. There is no shifting of cutlery.

> MY QUESTION to all the Brits in N.Amer. ... How do you use the cutlery???
> [and wondering now how the NZ'er's and Ozzie folk also do it ]


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