How to Use a Knife in Continental Style Etiquette

You can see the Continental style of eating throughout the world, especially when you're dining in European countries. To follow proper etiquette in this style, you keep both utensils in your hands throughout your meal, only setting them down if you need your hands free, such as to take a drink.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Pick up your silverware with proper etiquette, holding your fork with your index finger resting on the back and your knife with your index finger resting on the top. You should hold your knife in your right hand and your fork in your left.

2. Hold the food you want to cut with your fork. Make sure to hold it securely so the food doesn't slip.

3. Cut the food with your knife, making a cut towards you rather than sawing back and forth. If one cut doesn't go through the food, make another cut in the same direction. Cut one piece of food at a time.

4. Lift the piece of food you cut to your mouth, keeping the tines of your fork down.

5. Keep your knife in your right hand as you take the food to your mouth, and move your right hand to the right side of the front of your plate.

6. Push food onto your fork using your knife if you can't simply pick it up with your fork. Keep your fork stationary and move the food onto your fork with the knife. When the food is secure, move your knife hand to the edge of the plate as you do after you cut a piece of food.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the tines of your fork down at all times, even when you're pushing food onto your fork. Turning the tines up is a violation of Continental style etiquette.