How to hold a fork correctly?

Today we cannot imagine our life without a fork. At home, in a restaurant, at a party, at a picnic - everywhere we use this indispensable device. But not everyone and not in all cases knows how to hold it correctly? Let's look at all the intricacies of using this cutlery.

Forks appeared before our era, they were called "forks". They were made with only two prongs and were used only for applying products from common to individual plates.

When introduced, forks were flat, not curved as we are used to seeing today.

The fork came into use as a cutlery for the first time in Italy in the 11th century. Among historians, there is an opinion that this cutlery appeared in Russia during the time of False Dmitry I in the early 1600s. It was only in the 18th century that the word "fork" entered the general vocabulary, before it was called "horn" or "fork".

At the same time, forks with a curved end and already with four teeth began to appear in Germany. Initially, for the manufacture of forks, they used: copper, bronze, silver, bones. Now the main part of cutlery is made of stainless steel, but there are also specimens made of wood, aluminum, plastic, cupronickel, silver and even titanium.

Today we can meet about ten varieties of forks. Their length is different, the number of teeth on average varies from two to four.

Table fork. It has a length slightly less than the diameter of a regular dinner plate and four standard teeth. According to the rules of restaurant etiquette, this cutlery is located first to the left of the dinner dish. It is intended for use with a knife when eating second hot dishes.

Fork for fish. It has a slightly smaller size than the dining room, and four small cloves with a recess in order to easily separate the fish bones. It is located next to the table fork. This variety is used in conjunction with a special spatula and designed for cleaning and eating various types of hot fish.

Snack fork. It almost exactly repeats the shape of the dining room, but differs in a smaller size. It is located to the left of the fish fork and intended for eating salads and other cold, in rare cases hot, snacks.

Dessert fork. It differs in appearance from other varieties of forks. It has three prongs and its length does not exceed the diameter of a small dessert plate. In addition, dessert devices can have a more elegant and exotic design compared to the rest.The dessert fork is located above the plate with prongs to the right. It is customary to eat various sweet pies, cakes, pastries with this tool.

Fruit fork. It has only two teeth. In the event that apples, pears, melons and other fruits are fresh, This fork is used in conjunction with a dessert knife. If there are fruit salads or canned fruits on the table, then the knife is usually not served.

In addition to the listed basic plug options, there are also auxiliary devices, which are usually located near the brought dishes and snacks:

• a fork for eating lemons (usually contains 2 sharp cloves);
• for spaghetti (contains 5 teeth);
• for herring (contains 2 cloves);

• for sprats and sardines (contains 5 teeth);
• fork for crayfish (longer than the rest and contains 2 cloves);
• for oysters and seafood (contains 3 teeth, the left one being longer than the rest);

• for lobsters (contains 2 short curved cloves on a long axis);
• a specific fork for olives with a recess in the middle.

When serving a dinner table in a restaurant, about eight cutlery tools can be placed around the plate. Do not immediately panic and sound the alarm - this is easy to deal with. The way they are placed says a lot and tells you how to use each one correctly.

Spoons and knives of various sizes are placed on the right side of the plate; according to the rules of etiquette, they should be taken with the right hand. On the left side there are forks of different sizes, their teeth, of course, must be turned up. As you might guess, the fork should be taken with the left hand.

According to restaurant rules, a meal begins with salads and cold appetizers. Devices for them lie farthest from the rest of the plate. They should be picked up first. Large tools are located next to the plate; they are used for eating hot dishes. Dessert utensils may be on top, usually they have the shortest length. If the handle is turned to the right, then the object should be taken in the right hand, and if in the left, then in the left hand.

While eating, it is customary to keep the elbows pressed to the body. So you will look neat and not disturb the people sitting next to you at the table. It is imperative to put a napkin on your knees, which at the beginning of the meal lies neatly on the plate. Spoons, forks and knives should be kept horizontal above the plate, a slight tilt may be allowed.

The main cutlery is a spoon, fork and knife. Often, special blades are also used (for example, to clean fish from bones). Each of these tools has its own rules and features:

• The spoon is always held in the right hand. The middle finger serves as a "stand" for the narrow base of the spoon, the index finger fixes the spoon from the side, and the thumb - from above. It is most convenient to eat liquid foods with a spoon, but, in addition, a spoon can be used together with a fork to eat Italian pasta. Then the spaghetti is carefully wrapped around the fork, which is held with the right hand. At this time, the teeth rest against the bottom of the spoon, which is located in the right hand.
• The knife is also held in the right hand. Moreover, the index finger rests on the base of the handle in front of the blade, the thumb and middle fingers wrap around and support the knife handle from below. The ring finger and little finger are not involved in holding the knife and can only lightly touch it or simply press against the palm of your hand. The end of the knife handle touches the base of the hand.
• There are two common ways to use a fork. In both versions, it is supposed to be held with the left hand, but the grip with the fingers is different. In the first case, the tines of the fork are facing the bottom. The index finger rests on a narrow base from the back. Hold the fork not too close to the teeth so as not to touch the food. The remaining fingers cover the fork handle on all sides. This method of holding is sometimes called the “hidden handle” method, since the entire handle is hidden under the palm.

You need to lightly press on the fork with your index finger to prick or hold it for cutting with a knife. Then a small piece of food should be carefully put into the mouth with a fork, without turning it over.

There are cases, for example, when the garnish is loose or soft, then a knife is not required at all, and the fork is used as a spoon. Hold it throughout the meal with the right hand, teeth pointing upwards. Food seems to be hooked on the teeth from below and directed to the mouth.

In the second method, the fork should be held like a ballpoint pen, the cloves turned up. The narrow base of the instrument is placed on the middle finger, the thumb fixes the fork on the upper side, and the index finger on the side.In order to separate a piece of food, the fork must be turned with the teeth down. Then it is recommended to put the knife aside so that the blade rests on the edge of the plate, and continue to eat, holding the fork with your right hand in the same way.

While eating, the wrists of both hands should be turned slightly so that the index fingers “look” at the base of the plate. With this method, the cutlery will also be sent to the food. You need to apply a little effort to the knife with your index finger and cut off small pieces of food with sawing movements at the beginning of the fork prongs.

Following the rules of etiquette no need to cut off many pieces of food at once, two will be enough. Otherwise, the plate will look untidy, and the food will quickly cool down. The fork should hold exactly the piece of food that will then go into the mouth. If necessary, you can help with a knife to put food on the tines of the fork.

There are a few more rules for the correct end of the meal. Under no circumstances should cutlery be left on the tablecloth. If you decide to take a break during the meal, the dirty ends of the fork, knife or spoon must be placed on the edge of the plate. It is also acceptable to leave the fork and knife crossed on the dinner plate. In this case, after returning to the table, your portion and cutlery will wait for you in their places.

When the meal is completed, all cutlery that has been used should be carefully placed on a plate. The fork and knife must be placed parallel to each other at a slight angle. If you turn on your imagination and imagine the clock face, then the sharp end of the knife and the cloves of the fork should point to 12 o'clock, and the handles to 4 o'clock.So your personal waiter will understand that the meal is over and take away unnecessary items from your table.

And a few more words about the care of cutlery. Forks made of any material should be washed with warm soapy water. It is not recommended to use abrasive cleaners and metal sponges, as this may cause scratches on the cutlery. Any liquid detergents and ordinary soft sponges for washing dishes are suitable for washing the forks. In addition to hand washing, the forks can be washed in a special compartment of the dishwasher.

After the dishes have become clean, they must be dried at room temperature or wiped dry with a soft towel. It is recommended to store the forks at a small distance from each other and from other cutlery, as otherwise they may be scratched. By following these simple rules, your forks will last a long time and look great.

This article answers the very important, albeit rather mundane, question of how to properly hold a fork. At home, everyone holds cutlery in a way that is convenient for him. But in a situation where you find yourself at a dinner party or a business lunch in a restaurant, it is simply necessary to know the key skills of restaurant etiquette and handling of cutlery. Let's summarize and give some useful tips for any occasion:

• When sitting at a table, always keep your elbows close to your torso. It is permissible to put your elbows on the table in case of a conversation with an interlocutor, but at the same time without cutlery in your hands.
• First of all, put a napkin on your knees.
• Start your meal with cutlery that is further away from the plate and shorter.
• Take the knife with your right hand and the fork with your left.
• Cut two or three small pieces of food that are large enough to fit in your mouth.
• Don't overfill your fork or spoon with food. Otherwise, food may fall on the plate, on clothes or on the table, staining them.
• Never swing or throw cutlery.
• After eating, place all used cutlery on a plate.

Good luck with your practical application of the tips!

For information on how to properly hold the fork, see the following video.