Do you eat with a spoon?

[underpants]

In what felt like a space-time-continuum wormhole I was recently near an etiquette teacher. Yes, apparently we still have those.

As she sat down to lunch (at work) I overheard her say to some students "I want to make sure no one is eating with a spoon".

I understand about moving outside-in when eating with utensils and the soup spoon at a formal setting but you aren't supposed to use a spoon otherwise?
What about mashed potatoes and gravy? Peas? Corn?

[elleng]

1. PASTA!

[Laffy Kat]

8. Both my boys eat their ice cream with a fork.

The youngest picked it up from the oldest and I will never understand it.

[elleng]

12. That is WEIRD!

More DIFFICULT than weird, actually! Try a cucchiaio (SPOON, in Italian!)

[Laffy Kat]

13. Especially when you consider they are now 22 and 19-years-old.

Drives me nuts.

[elleng]

17. LOL!!!

[NanceGreggs]

45. I always eat ice cream with a fork.

I started doing it years ago - I don't know why, or what the circumstances were. But I've been doing it for over forty years now.

[snort]

49. I eat ice cream with a fork.

The reason is that when ice cream is solid out of the freezer, the tines of a fork cut through easily where it can be difficult with a spoon. No waiting, you see. Instant satisfaction.

[Laffy Kat]

53. Guess this is a thing after all. nt

[hibbing]

89. That's some funny stuff n/t

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. What about cereal? How do you eat oatmeal

or Cheerios with a fork? Ice cream? Pudding? Yogurt?

[randome]

59. Very slowly.

[hr][font color="blue"][center]There is nothing you can't do if you put your mind to it.
Nothing.[/center][/font][hr]

[left-of-center2012]

3. I eat soup with a fork

Just kidding

[Glamrock]

15. I worked with a Korean

that ate soup with chopsticks.

[OriginalGeek]

16. I had Pho for the first time a week or two ago

it was delicious but man, did I make a mess of it. But I was determined to use the chop sticks and they worked very well for the noodles. Judging by everyone else in there though, I think a mess is acceptable, if not required.

[underahedgerow]

68. How else would you eat a Korean /Asian soup? They have SO much yummy things in them

from the oodles of noodles to meat, vegetables, etc. When you've eaten all the yummy bits, you may then use a spoon, or drink the broth directly.

I can eat anything with chopsticks....

[underahedgerow]

70. The only things eaten with spoons are soups of course, Anglo, not Asian, and desserts.

Cereals I suppose, if one eats that crap. Ice cream.... that's about it.

One never, ever uses a spoon when eating pasta; twirling is done with the tines against the plate, not against a spoon. One bites the pasta off and lets it fall, one doesn't shove the whole damn thing in the maw. You may use your knife to gather the pasta against the fork, but never, ever a spoon.

The biting rule also applies when eating rice or Asian noodles with chopsticks; lifting the bowl close to the mouth if it's small, or leaning into the plate if it's large, biting a piece and pulling it away from the mouth with the chopsticks.

One doesn't eat with just a spoon, it's an accessory most often, except in the case of soups, oatmeal and ice cream. (sorry, I can't include cereal, no one should ever eat that crap).

Yeah, I'm a snob. I believe in good manners and in eating in whatever manner is traditional to the origin of the cuisine one is enjoying.

I still recoil in horror when I see people cutting sushi with a knife and fork. Guttural noises escape my lips when I see such things.

[Angry Dragon]

4. cantaloupe??

[Tikki]

5. I eat just about everything from a small bowl with a short tined fork.

Long tined forks make me gag...even carry a fork with me when we go out.


Tikki

[tymorial]

6. I eat with a spoon all the time for things usually eaten with a fork

Mac and cheese, fried rice etc. it drives my wife crazy lol.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

22. Me too.

I tend to eat fast after working at places that only offered short breaks, and I can shovel it in faster with a big spoon!

[tymorial]

24. Little spoons are useless!

[dhill926]

46. well...

they're a good fit for little hands....

[randome]

60. It's just more efficient, isn't it?

[hr][font color="blue"][center]There is nothing you can't do if you put your mind to it.
Nothing.[/center][/font][hr]

[Binkie The Clown]

7. Mac 'N Cheese is definitely spoon food.

My late father-in-law used to say "When Emily Post starts paying my bills then she can make the rules."

[madokie]

9. soups

well maybe oatmeal or some cereal, cornbread and milk but for the most part I eat with a fork

When I do eat something with a spoon its with the large spoon not those little bastards. Its a Navy thing
I don't eat my beans out of a bowl either, I spoon them into my plate of fried potatoes or fried okra and mac and cheese. Mmmm good.

[Croney]

18. Cornbread and milk?

Are you a fan of hot cornbread stuffed into a glass of cold buttermilk? It's a cult thing in my family. Eaten with a spoon.

[CentralMass]

34. That does sound good.

[Nevernose]

36. It's a traditional dessert in our family, too

Not a brash taste, but a great mix of textures.

[Go Vols]

41. +1

Its dessert.After I eat pinto beans and cornbread with a spoon too.

[JI7]

10. i eat pizza and sandwiches with knife and fork

I eat with whatever is more easiest for me and makes the least amount of mess including getting my hands dirty.

[Glassunion]

28. F***ing Commie!

Pizza with utensils? Heathen.

[TexasProgresive]

29. Are you from Connecticut like my dear spouse?

[yortsed snacilbuper]

11. Get a spork.

[OriginalGeek]

20. My daughter uses a knork

one edge of the fork is a bit knifey. She doesn't have full use of her left side so two-handed cutlerying is difficult.

I like the spork I get at Taco Bell. Except that when I have it, it generally means I'm eating Taco Bell. I have to do it about twice a year to remember why I don't eat there more.

[CentralMass]

35. Yes, but it is a cleansing experience.

[OriginalGeek]

50. Every. Single. Time.

I should get it before my next colonoscopy.

[Beartracks]

52. Spoon + Fork + Bottle Opener

The Sporkener!

====================

[bluesbassman]

14. Hands only.

Of course I wash them occasionally, I'm not a savage.

[megahertz]

19. Lately I've been eating salads with a spoon

This was brought about because I'm somewhat of a minimalist. I have one fork and one spoon, and right now my fork is lost somewhere in the car.

As long as you chop the lettuce a bit, and then chop the other veggies fairly small, it works well, and so no need to stab things with a fork. I've discovered I prefer the spoon method.

Probably wouldn't work for restaurant salads, which tend to have bigger leaves.

[gratuitous]

21. There's only one way to eat peas

I eat my peas with honey
I've done it all my life
Although it may sound funny
It keeps them on my knife.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

82. Ugh!

You stole my post.

Give it back, you rapscallion!.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

83. The ultimate rabe scallion

http://www.andyboy.com/recipes/broccoli-rabe-omelette-bacon-cheddar/

[NightWatcher]

23. Sounds like it could be an insult. "Guys, we've got a steak dinner..."

"...and some of you yahoos are still eating with spoons".

[world wide wally]

25. What she was trying to say was,

"Get the fork outta here"

[Glassunion]

26. I just use a butter knife for everything

Pick the plate up to my gaping mouth and plow the food in with the knife.

[alphafemale]

27. I'd tell her to mind her own business and to shut her condescending mouth.

Nothing worse than a self-righteous busybody that tries to publicly humiliate people.

[cheapdate]

30. Unless it needs to be speared

the spoon is superior. It has sides. I use it all the time, beans, potatoes, rice, etc.

[MoonRiver]

31. When we were in Thailand, that's what they use. No forks.

[Nevernose]

37. Spoon in one hand and chopsticks in the other

The level of coordination it takes to eat a bowl of soup in Chiangmai is unreal!

[MoonRiver]

38. Actually, I never saw a Thai using chopsticks. The Chinese there of course would.

[Nevernose]

39. I hadn't really thought about it

But your right. We spent our time in Bangkok in Chinatown, ironically, which is very much like China was fifteen or twenty years ago. It felt more Chinese to me than China does now, if that makes sense.

Disposable forks were popular all over, though, as were spoons. A lot of finger foods. We ate dinner a few times with a lovely family in Chiangmai; they used spoon and fork for things like soup, or just a fork.

You know what? I'm just going to have to go back and conduct more research. In person. Preferably as soon as possible and for as long as possible

[MoonRiver]

40. There are a lot of Chinese in Thailand. We were also in downtown Bangkok. Worst traffic ever!

[Warpy]

32. If you're at home, suit yourself

but at a formal dinner, the spoons are usually reserved for soup and tea or coffee; rarely, a dessert spoon might make an appearance.

I would also likely follow that protocol in a decent restaurant. Fortunately, the joints I go to have sporks these days.

I avoid peas and sweet corn in more formal situations. I do eat them successfully with a fork at home, but I admit that occasionally I do pea on the floor.

The fork was a very late importation into the UK. Before the late 18th century, people ate with spoons, knives and fingers. It was OK to use the knife to push one's peas onto the spoon. Blame the Italians for this one, the fork is a wonderful implement for eating pasta but not much else.

We're going through a period of becoming less formal, and I do welcome that. I inherited a dizzying array of silver plate tableware, all with specific and often forgotten purposes and I'm delighted that the days of being chided for using the escargot fork to spear a gherkin are long over. Unfortunately, we're still stuck with trying to eat peas with a fork. I avoid them in formal situations, although they're one of my favorite veggies, unless they're in a soup and I can attack them with a spoon.

[inanna]

33. Soups, stews, yogurt, cereal I use a spoon for.

Nearly everything else, a fork.

I use the fork/spoon method for pasta...as shown above.

[pansypoo53219]

42. heck. i think we should bring back food pushers. i eat RICE w/ a spoon.

food w/ rummy sauces.

[tammywammy]

44. Yes! Rice with a spoon!

I do that too.

[tammywammy]

43. All the time.

The usual soup, yogurt, ice cream stuff, but also most rice based dishes. I hate chasing rice around with a fork. So anything like peas, quinoa, corn, most curries, etc. Anything that's easier with a spoon. I have no shame.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

47. What an unusual Opening Post. Eating what with a spoon?

[Rex]

54. Soup?

[Quantess]

56. The polite way to eat soup is by lifting the bowl to your lips.

[Rex]

81. Uh oh...then I've been doing it all wrong all these years.

[LWolf]

48. I eat with a spoon

whenever possible. I like spoons. I don't care enough about etiquette. My low-brow, poor working class roots are showing.

[Major Nikon]

51. Sometimes I don't hold my pinky out while sipping my tea also

[eleny]

55. rec'd for sheer cuteness of topic

[Orrex]

57. Well of course.

I'm not going to make the poor ol' spoon eat alone.

[dembotoz]

58. when i start to care about how folks feel about how i eat please shoot me

as long as i do not use my fingers........

[randome]

61. But if you ever use a hockey stick to eat with, all bets are off!

[hr][font color="blue"][center]There is nothing you can't do if you put your mind to it.
Nothing.[/center][/font][hr]

[Phentex]

73. I'll use my fingers if I feel like it...

when certain foods won't cooperate with a fork or spoon. I use what I want and don't care what others think.

I think spoons are very useful.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

84. My brother often uses his fingers due to blindness.

He always starts with utensils and then feels around with his fingers later.

It disgusts me a bit, to be honest, but I'll be blind like him eventually so I try not to judge. If I get to that point, I suspect that I will stick to foods that "hold together" better. I've always been more concerned about upsetting others compared to him.

[steve2470]

62. Don't eat with a spoon ? What ?

I've never heard such a thing. Which etiquette book is she reading ?

[underpants]

65. It was new to me too. I asked some co-workers and apparently it's a thing

I had never heard of it.

[snooper2]

63. You don't mess up spoons with dirty food, they are for cooking meth

[randome]

64. Mr. White, please put down the spoon.

[hr][font color="blue"][center]There is nothing you can't do if you put your mind to it.
Nothing.[/center][/font][hr]

[mulsh]

66. Perhaps she hadn't taught her student the differences between spoons in a place setting?

Or perhaps she was exercising an innate bossy and overbearing nature. The sort of personality trait that leads one to become a professional etiquette instructor.

I must say that after years of observing appalling behavior in the work place I encourage business people and people in general to brush up on their social skills, especially etiquette.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post.

[underpants]

71. You are welcome.

[randome]

67. Say what?

[hr][font color="blue"][center]There is nothing you can't do if you put your mind to it.
Nothing.[/center][/font][hr]

[Iggo]

69. I use all the standard eating tools except the two sticks.

Just can't get the hang of it.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

72. Forget that.

I want to know whether one should sit or stand to wipe.

[steve2470]

74. ok I had to look this up lol

http://www.etiquettescholar.com/dining_etiquette/table_setting/place_setting/flatware/spoons.html

I guess her etiquette book is FAR superior to mine *said with stereotypical snooty voice*

[underpants]

75. Five o'clock spoon

I've learned something here. Thanks.

[Faux pas]

76. cottage cheese, ice cream and

yogurt?

[apcalc]

77. There is a reason for spoons!

Politely and courteously excuse yourself from the company of this etiquette teacher.

Then go do what you want.

[Squaredeal]

78. I spent two years stationed in SE Asia and have traveled throughout Asia for many years.

Often, there was no fork available where I was. I now still prefer using a spoon and chopsticks to eat my food, particularly at home.

[northoftheborder]

79. This is entertaining discussion!

I eat anything that is "soupy" with liquid that would leak through a fork with a spoon. That includes cereal, ice cream, soup, and grapefruit segments because a spoon is needed to scoop them out. I usually eat watermelon with a fork if already cut up - but I remember eating a huge slice of melon (in rind) with a spoon as a child - outside, where we could spit out the seeds! That was the best! Cooled in a big tub of ice in backyard!

[Solly Mack]

80. Depends on the food/course and if a spoon is necessary. Otherwise, no.

[discntnt_irny_srcsm]

85. I eat lasagne with a spoon

[Bonx]

86. Only at Olive Garden

[pansypoo53219]

87. back in the past. all people had was ONE BIG SPOON + fingers. asians used sticks & still using them.

that explains the different spoons i have collected from estate sqales. i have a HUGE silver-plate hoard. i just thought they were all demitasse. 5 o'clock TEAspoon?!? i just like PRETTY old spoons + use as many patterns as i like.

[sarcasmo]

88. Guess I'M uncivilized.