Son is making a trip to Poland (near Warsaw) as a member of his high school band. My wife and I are actually thinking of taking off and going with him so we can check out some areas in central Europe.

We had a minor argument tonight over table manners. I am unfamiliar with this whole 'continental' method of eating. Do Europeans always eat with the fork in the left hand or is this only when using a knife to cut meat? I'm sure I will have plenty of opportunities to show myself to be the 'Ugly American' but hopefully I don't do it with some local cuisine in my mouth.

Does it matter?

Should go with your handy-ness.

I'm right handed so I cut with knife in right and fork in left, but eat with fork in right when there's nothing to cut...

Apparently it does to my son's band teacher, there is a specific mention of this in his handout before he travels there. Honestly, any teenage boy that doesn't try to slough it out of a bowl like a pig should be considered well mannered these days.

Amen. For crying out loud.... As long as you're using suitable implements, why should anybody give a rip about which hand holds what?

Yes, I am an ugly american. :P

Wow, we never went overseas back in high school. I'd say put the knife in whatever hand is most coordinated

I'd say it depends on the occasion (fancy restaurant vs. bar with sawdust on the floor ), or if the folks that invite him to dinner care themselves. I'd say do as the hosts do, and he should be fine (when in Rome...).

"Continental" basics:

I've never been to Poland, but here in neighboring Germany, when you want to display good table manners, you keep your fork always in the left hand, the knife in the right, during the whole meal (except when reaching for a drink or a napkin). Use the knife to cut, and to place all the food that you're not picking with the fork onto the fork. If you pick food with the fork, turn it "upside down" (curved bottom up). And hold fork, knife and spoons at the handle, not close at the front end.

Um yeah, this would definitely be too complicated for most 'Muricans.

Thanks Jayhawk. What about spoon useage? Spoon in left hand as well?

No, I just don't think the average American thinks about this stuff.

WOW, over here, its a free for all at the table for most of the 16 to 17 year old boys. More like, who needs
silverware when you have hands. Good lord, teaching my son table manners has been a long hard battle.
But I think I am getting somewhere. At least my 16 year old will use the silverware now, who cares
what hand, as long as the food is not hitting me. Yep, we are true rednecks over here. My son says
I should come sit in on few school lunches. Told him no thanks, I want to keep it down.

Yes that is true but I had to exaggerate a bit for comedic effect.

Having been to London, Paris, and all over Italy, I'd say it doesn't matter. I'm a right-handed fork holder & switch hitter when it comes time to cut although I just naturally do just about everything Jayhawk said.

You're far, far more likely to offend someone by talking than by eating

Yeah, it is sometimes like this at our house



My wife gets really upset with Daniel if he acts like a total pig though.

Well, if simple table manners seem to be so difficult then I better not mention
on how to eat a banana with a knife and a fork.

You can have many things written down. It really doesn't matter unless you going to extremely fancy restaurants. Observe and follow. Simple as that.. It's not like you can embarrass someone by using a "wrong" hand.

I'm not from Poland, nor have I been there, but I know people from there. And here is what I've learnt from eating with them/:
-Fork in the left hand, knife in the right. Place your pointy finger at the base of the curved part (pointing up) when using your fork (same here in Sweden). Knife is for cutting everything that needs to be cut. Exception to this rule is when you eat food that is very awkward to eat this way, at which point it is alright to turn the for around.
-Accepting food is a sign of appreciation. Don't be overly modest, because that might make you look ungraceful (something I learnt the hard way when i was visiting a friend's family. Her mother basically expected of me to eat, but I was not hungry at the moment, so I turned down food, at which point she (the mother) basically wanted to force-feed me cookies and other sweets, because "I had to eat something"). Also, don't be afraid to help yourself to second servings, or ask for more, as this seem to be seen as a complement.
-Diner conversation seem to be expected, so don't sit quietly guarding your own food.


Use your primary hand.



Also, be prepared for some pretty "heavy" and filling food. Polish food don't seem to contain a lot of spices, but the main ingredients themselves gives it a rather rich taste.
Also, if you are given alcohol to the food, be expected for it to be rather hit or miss.

I'll expect the alcohol for us but for the kids it is an express no no. I have to watch it though, I am a relative lightweight these days.

It'll be obvious to the hosts whether or not your son has table manners and employs them every day.