Is it ok for an adult to cut up all food before he/she begins eating?

Question

My boyfriend insists that cutting all his meat before he begins eating is perfectly ok in all situations. I think only one piece of meat should be cut at a time. What do you think?

Answer 1

In etiquette terms it is not ok.. However, this is learned behavior from his childhood I assume, ANDDD, men don't mess around with their food, get all the prep work over and dig in, not to be disturbed again by the knife.. It is irritating and makes him look like a cave man, I know, been there!!

Answer 2

You are so right. It is not ok to cut all the meat at one time. You only cut a piece of meat if you are going to take a bite of it.

Answer 3

I think that it is his food, he can eat it how he wants to eat it.  If you want him to have good etiquette, then yes, you cut one piece of meat at a time.  My husband cuts his noodles (the entire plate at once) with a knife and fork before he starts to eat it and I can not get him to stop so i ignore it.

Answer 4

sounds like you have some personal issues and your finding flaw in your boyfriend. at least he cuts it up and not put huge pieces in his mouth. sounds like you have the problem NOT your boyfriend!!

Answer 5

Cutting up all your food is considered rude in American society.

I hope he doesn't do this in public or when he eats with other people.

It is a good habit to get out of.

Answer 6

cutting up all your food is completely ok in American society, though you should never do it in Europe. You'll be frowned at.  

Answer 7

your boyfriend may cut all of his meat at once now, but hopefully as he gets older he will change his habits and cut 1 piece at a time as it makes you eat slower,  making you feel full sooner.

Answer 8

he is fine in doing so  

Answer 9

I think i remember my parents doing that for me when I was 5. There's nothing wrong with it, maybe he finds it easier to eat or digest. Its just personal preference, not wrong or right.  

Answer 10

If my boyfriend cut up all his meat before he begins to eat, I will start to worry. It is just not normal for adults to cut up all their food before eating. It is good manners to cut only one piece of food at a time.

Answer 11

its up to you, if it is easier to cut it all up first then go for it. i usually cut mine as i go that way if i don't eat it all i can use it for something else.

Answer 12

i cut up my kids food at every meal they are twins that are 2 so its just a habit i do it for my husband when i make it his plate and mine i see nothing wrong  with it you only get so long to eat and who pays that much attention any way

Answer 13

Some Europeans get offended when you cut more than one bite at a time, but they also think that once you pick up a utensil that you should not set it down until you are done. This means that right handed people will eat with their fork in their left hand and knife in their right. However I really don't care. Some times it is ok to cut up all your food at once. I think that it is really about personal preference.

Answer 14

If he does it in public he will look juvenile.  This is an eating habit that could destroy his career chances.  Proper meal etiquette is imperative at a business meal.

Answer 15

I don't think it really matters at all. It may not be the most common way to eat meat, but it's not worth fretting about.

Answer 16

Keep bites small. It is smart to keep bite sizes to a moderate forkful. Cut meat and salad so that it doesn't hang from your mouth after you shovel it in. Don't cut all of your meat at one time, this tends to remind people of feeding small children - and the messiness associated with this activity.  

Answer 17

It is considered a social faux pas; even so, my executive hubby has gotten away with it for decades. If it puts a dent in your social life, then you have the right to insist that he stop. If not, then don't worry about it.  

Answer 18

While cutting up one's meat entirely, prior to eating, is marginally acceptable, it implies a rigid adherence to non-adult values.  Your friend should try to change his actions, in this regard at least, to more adult norms.

Answer 19

well, cutting up your meat is nothing really, i mean its just a form of eating, and if anyone finds it rude or gross, they can just leave. its your boyfriends way of how he likes to eat and people shouldnt try to change that

Answer 20

Sure,  why wouldn't it be ok?    

Answer 21

It is proper etiquette to cut only one piece of meat at a time. If you are at home its fine for you to cut your meat how you want but what better a place to practice than at home with people you know in case you make a mistake. Happy dining!

Answer 22

It doesn't matter, as long as you guys both eat happily (=  

Answer 23

Why should it matter?

Answer 24

To tell you the truth, I cut all my food up by myself when I was 5... ever since then I have been cutting pieces individually. I actually babysit two kids one of them I have to cut their breakfast into pieces and one of them... eats with his hands :( to tell you the truth I believe that it's fine.. whatever floats their boat. but at a age over 10 people think of you automatically as more mature so I would say that as long as your boy friend is over 10 in public he should cut it one piece at a time.

In private, if it's just a casual lunch or quick dinner it's not much of a problem. If your home and having lunch or dinner with parents I would defanantly say he should once again cut in one piece just to look more mature, and polite. (if polite is the word that i'm looking for...)

Answer 25

    I think it is great! One would eat less, I would think! Stephie!

Answer 26

I think that this is an issue that is personal preference and has nothing to do with anything but habits. Personally I prefer to finish all of one thing and move on to the other. My husband eats a little of this and a little of that. My daughter eats corn on the cob around the cob, not back and forth. Is any of it wrong? Nope. Relax.

Answer 27

If you are eating at home or out casually, what's the problem.  However, if you are in a very nice restaurant or at an event that you need to "dress-up,"  then you need to be more careful about your manners and cut just one piece at a time.  Maybe a little coaching from his Mom or you could help.

Answer 28

I still do cut my meat up before I eat. It does depend though. I do find that went out to dinner I will cut a slice then cut into two or three smaller pieces, then when done cut another slice and repeat. I find that when at home I cut everything up esp. depending on the side. like if he likes to dip is food in his mashed potatoes or something go a head that way more potatoes per bite. but if you are out fancy try to encourage small steps. from all little pieces to strips to one piece at a time. I mean really this should not be a huge issue.... its just food. its that way it tastes and the company you are with that really counts

Answer 29

of course it ok to cut a piece of meat before eating it if there big pieces that cant in your mouth at ones