Americans Face European Critique: Are Our Eating Habits Really ‘Primitive’?

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Americans Face European Critique: Are Our Eating Habits Really ‘Primitive’?

A recent TikTok video featuring an American woman has sparked quite the debate over dining etiquette. In the clip, Amy Gordy attempts the “continental” style of eating, which involves holding the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right, without switching hands. This contrasts with the typical American method of using one hand for cutting and often switching utensils.

As she navigates her meal, viewers quickly reacted, many expressing disbelief at her technique. One comment noted, “I’ve never thought about how I use cutlery!” Others took it a step further, criticizing Americans for their perceived lack of dining etiquette, with remarks such as “Watching Americans eat is worse than nails on a chalkboard.” The video amassed over 2 million views, igniting a lively discussion online.

Interestingly, some commenters focused on the dynamics between Gordy and her husband, who commented on her holding cutlery while speaking—deemed “rude” by some viewers. This led to further discussions on conversational norms during meals, prompting comments like, “Is eating properly considered rude in America?”

In fact, opinions on eating manners vary widely across cultures. For instance, Helen H. Wang, a cultural anthropologist, emphasizes that what’s considered polite in one society can be frowned upon in another. She notes, “Dining etiquette is a reflection of cultural values and practices.” Thus, what may seem normal in the U.S. can appear strange to Europeans, and vice versa.

Gordy’s video isn’t alone in generating buzz. Renowned British etiquette expert William Hanson recently made waves when he claimed there’s only one proper way to eat a banana—with a knife and fork, no less! His unconventional approach illustrates how firmly established dining norms can differ globally.

Overall, the online chatter surrounding Gordy’s attempts highlights the broader conversation about cultural practices and perceptions. Whether one agrees with traditional etiquette or prefers a more relaxed approach, it’s clear that dining styles provide ample ground for discussion.



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Lifestyle,Food & Drink,casual dining,eating,etiquette,social etiquette