Finger Foods

And I bought swallowed my tongue to watch DF and his mom eat pizza with a knife and fork.

I'm not quite sure what that means, but to me it depends on the situation. Special pizza in a posh restaurant? Knives and forks all the way!

Ultimately, I don't think there should be rules. People have their own preferences, whether they're cultural or just down to personal choice. So, Belita, if your DB wants to eat ribs with his knife and fork - then he should be allowed to do that. 

Like some others here, I have a "thing" about not liking to get my fingers messy and greasy, but then again, if something really should be eaten with the fingeres I go ahead anyway -- fish and chips, pizza, ribs, etc.

I remember being invited to a fellow-British-woman's home in the US and she ordered pizza -- and SHE proceeded to eat it with a knife and fork!! I didn't say anything but I thought it was ridiculous. Perhaps she had a finger phobia too, like me, but even with my phobia for greasy fingers I eat mine with my hands. Weird what people do.

(Edited because I am Typo City all over the place until my coffee kicks in!)

There is no setting in which I think it's appropriate to eat pizza with a knife and fork (what really posh restaurants serve pizza anyhow? I've never seen it). But in this case, we were at his mom's house having take-away.

There is no setting in which I think it's appropriate to eat pizza with a knife and fork (what really posh restaurants serve pizza anyhow? I've never seen it). But in this case, we were at his mom's house having take-away.

I agree. I don't care how "posh," pizza eaten with utensils is ridiculous. Grab it with your mitts and dig in.

On further reflection, the one exception might be in the case of excessive use of sauce, where molten cheese and toppings are slipping around on the slice dangerously and uncontrollably.

(Warning: former pizza professional, me).

There is no setting in which I think it's appropriate to eat pizza with a knife and fork (what really posh restaurants serve pizza anyhow? I've never seen it). But in this case, we were at his mom's house having take-away.

I know you're in Providence ... is Al Forno still around? They have the most amazing pizza as an appetizer. But don't use your fingers!!!  

Right, so those of us (myself included) who eat pizza with a knife and fork are inappropriate and ridiculous?

Interesting opinions!

Right, so those of us (myself included) who eat pizza with a knife and fork are inappropriate and ridiculous?

Interesting opinions!

I know. I have to say I really resent being told I'm "ridiculous" for using a knife and fork. It's a choice. It's my choice. It's not bad manners.

And it's MY choice that I find it ridiculous. Mexican standoff I guess. Yep, sorry, but I do.

And it's MY choice that I find it ridiculous. Mexican standoff I guess. Yep, sorry, but I do.

Fair enough. But your "choice" means insulting other people. Mine doesn't.

I know you're in Providence ... is Al Forno still around? They have the most amazing pizza as an appetizer. But don't use your fingers!!!  

Yes, it's still around. I've never been. It's hard for me to imagine a regular old round pizza pie being served as an appetizer, utensils mandatory. On the other hand, outside Newport, I can't imagine any place in Rhode Island I'd find intimidatingly classy. Certainly not down on the waterfront.

Fair enough. But your "choice" means insulting other people. Mine doesn't.

Honestly -- isn't that kind of an insulting thing to say?

Any Japanese on the board? I can't imagine the reaction if one were caught carefully slicing up bits of sushi and forking them into the soy.

Oh my, I've insulted somebody. And you think I should care because...? Grow a thicker skin, pal. IT'S ABOUT PIZZA FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!! lmao!

Oh my, I've insulted somebody. And you think I should care because...? Grow a thicker skin, pal. IT'S ABOUT PIZZA FOR CRYING OUT LOUD!!! lmao!

Perhaps you should care because it's good manners not to insult people. But then that's your prerogative.

All I'm saying is that if people choose to use a knife and fork, they should be allowed to. It's not the end of the world. Perhaps your skin is a bit too thin, pal, if that offends you so much.

How did Belita's simple question turn into such an ugly discussion?!?!

I'm out.

On further reflection, the one exception might be in the case of excessive use of sauce, where molten cheese and toppings are slipping around on the slice dangerously and uncontrollably.

(Warning: former pizza professional, me).

Yeah I was going to say, you really can't eat proper Chicago-style deep dish pizza with your hands.  It's just impossible!  They're too big and messy.

I think it's fine for people to eat how they are accustomed, but as has been covered before, if you're going to stick to your customs in spite of being somewhere where customs are different, be prepared to get a little flack for it.  Just like my DH got stared at for using his hands in London, I wouldn't be surprised if someone got odd looks for using a knife and fork in the US to eat ribs. 

I kind of see it as the way we tell expats in the UK that they should get used to saying 'bag' for 'purse' and 'jumper' for 'sweater'.  It's just the way it's done here.  You can fight against it all you want but be prepared for people to correct you, not understand you, or tease you a bit.