Are we losing this, or are we mimicking American Films?

Question

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_manners#British_table_manners

Answer 1

We cut the food, lift it up and put in our mouth.  I try not to concern myself with other people's eating habits.  Some people eat with their fingers, no big deal.

Answer 2

Hello!Annnswering from FLORIDA=)

Alright table manners arnt for everyone.But there are those slobs who eat chew with their mouth open and talk with food in their mouth for alll to see how pretty.

I find this gross.But i was taught table manners and so were my friends.I believe it's how your raise and not only where you are from.Cause we have some cubans and islanders who just got off the boat who dont eat so well.

For me...i put my elbows on the table i try not to but eh.I eat ice and i do ask if i can take your last piece of chicken.=)

Answer 3

If there's one thing my mum taught us all when we were kids it was good table manners and god help us if we didnt use our manners,,mum would sit at the end of the table with a 3 foot cane next to her and if any of us played up "crack"....we would get it across the knuckles,,I'm proud now to know mum taught us correctly,,it makes me cringe to see Americans eating on tv,,they look like they've never used a knife and fork before in their lives !

(mum,,pom ,,dad aussie)

Answer 4

Imitation is the best form of flattery.

Answer 5

"... Your serviette should..."

I have never used that word in my life and it pains me when I hear people say it. It's a napkin!

Working class people have no manners whether they are British, American, etc. They cannot be helped.  

Answer 6

Etiquette and manners do change - even evolve (in the general, but correct sense of the word).

Edwardian 'manners' manuals were mainly concerned with how one should behave in the presence of one's servants. It is the Nanny's duty to teach children 'table manners', certainly not any responsibility of the parents (beyond employing a competent Nanny).

Answer 7

I always thought part of our differences in eating habits had to do with where we are from.  My dad was from Australia, and he always ate with his left hand and the tines on his fork pointed down.  He claimed Americans "shovel" their food into their mouths when using the fork.  I happen to be left handed; but it does make more sense to eat with the left hand, when cutting your meat rather than playing switcheroo.  My pet peeve is to be eating with someone who talks with food in their mouth.  Uggh!  I believe that good table manners should be taught early.  Have you ever visited an elementary school cafeteria?  It's distressing.

Answer 8

Agreed, good manners has gone terribly awry. From the time I can remember, we ate with perfect manners at home or at restaurants.

The only way I would want to tackle American kids is with a cane in hand, beat their parents for being right gits!

Answer 9

to some extent, i see lots of people now only using one utensil to eat with, i confess i sometimes do, but only when alone, i wouldn't dream of it in company. and we have sadly copied Americans in too many ways, and see our society to some extent the poorer for it, junk food, shopping malls as two  prime examples.