Before one starts to eat, the napkin must be unfolded. Unfold
it completely if it is small ; if it is very large, one fold may be
left in it. Place the napkin on your lap. The napkin is to
protect your clothing. It may also be used occasionally to wipe
the lips. Sometimes it is well to wipe the lips before taking a
drink of water to avoid staining the glass.
Where you are going to eat your next meal determines what
you should do with the napkin at the close of the meal. If you
are at home or are a home-guest and expect to eat the next meal
at the same table, the napkin should be folded, provided the
Good Manners at the Dining Table 129
hostess folds hers. If you are a guest for only one meal, how-
ever, the napkin should be left unfolded on the left side of your
cover.
How shall the fork be held ? When shall it be used ? Every
normal girl or boy wants to appear well. One thing to do to ap-
pear well at the dining table is to hold the fork correctly. The
fork is used more often than any other article of table silver. It is
also held incorrectly more often than any other piece of silver. If
Figure 38. Using the Knife and Fork Together
Notice that the fork is held in the left hand so that the end of the
handle touches the center of the palm of the hand, and the handle is
grasped with the first, second, and third fingers, the second finger pointing
toward the prongs.
The end of the knife handle also touches the center of the palm of the hand.
None of the fingers should extend along the blade of the knife or the prongs
of the fork.
you do not know how to hold your fork correctly, do not let the
day pass until you have learned the right way.
The fork is held in two ways, depending upon whether it is
used alone or with the knife. If the fork is used with the knife,
as in eating steak, it is, of course, used in the left hand. (See
Figure 38.)
1 3°
Breakfast
If the fork is used without the knife, it is held in the right-hand.
If mashed potatoes, peas, or other vegetables are being eaten
with the fork, the end of the handle is held with the first, second,
and third fingers. The prongs of the fork should point up. The
fork should not be heaped full of food — it should not be filled
more than a third full. (See Figure 39.)
In eating such foods as cream toast, vegetables in large pieces,
salad, or pie, use the fork for cutting. When cutting with the
Figure 39. Using a Fork without the Knife
The way in which a fork is used in eating vegetables is shown here.
Notice how the fork handle is grasped. Also notice that the fork is not
heaped full of food.
fork, hold it as directed for mashed potatoes, merely turning the
handle around in the hand so that the left edge of the fork may be
used for cutting.
Sometimes one may hesitate whether to use a fork or a spoon.
In cases like this use the fork if it is sensible to do so. Many
desserts should be eaten with a fork rather than a spoon. Firm
ice cream may be eaten with a fork. A spoon should be used for
soft frozen foods.
There is also sometimes the question whether to cut with the
Good Manners at the Dining Table 13 1
Page 71
Presented as published in 1928. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
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Before one starts to eat, the napkin must be unfolded. Unfold
it completely if it is small ; if it is very large, one fold may be
left in it. Place the napkin on your lap. The napkin is to
protect your clothing. It may also be used occasionally to wipe
the lips. Sometimes it is well to wipe the lips before taking a
drink of water to avoid staining the glass.
Where you are going to eat your next meal determines what
you should do with the napkin at the close of the meal. If you
are at home or are a home-guest and expect to eat the next meal
at the same table, the napkin should be folded, provided the
Good Manners at the Dining Table 129
hostess folds hers. If you are a guest for only one meal, how-
ever, the napkin should be left unfolded on the left side of your
cover.
How shall the fork be held ? When shall it be used ? Every
normal girl or boy wants to appear well. One thing to do to ap-
pear well at the dining table is to hold the fork correctly. The
fork is used more often than any other article of table silver. It is
also held incorrectly more often than any other piece of silver. If
Figure 38. Using the Knife and Fork Together
Notice that the fork is held in the left hand so that the end of the
handle touches the center of the palm of the hand, and the handle is
grasped with the first, second, and third fingers, the second finger pointing
toward the prongs.
The end of the knife handle also touches the center of the palm of the hand.
None of the fingers should extend along the blade of the knife or the prongs
of the fork.
you do not know how to hold your fork correctly, do not let the
day pass until you have learned the right way.
The fork is held in two ways, depending upon whether it is
used alone or with the knife. If the fork is used with the knife,
as in eating steak, it is, of course, used in the left hand. (See
Figure 38.)
1 3°
Breakfast
If the fork is used without the knife, it is held in the right-hand.
If mashed potatoes, peas, or other vegetables are being eaten
with the fork, the end of the handle is held with the first, second,
and third fingers. The prongs of the fork should point up. The
fork should not be heaped full of food — it should not be filled
more than a third full. (See Figure 39.)
In eating such foods as cream toast, vegetables in large pieces,
salad, or pie, use the fork for cutting. When cutting with the
Figure 39. Using a Fork without the Knife
The way in which a fork is used in eating vegetables is shown here.
Notice how the fork handle is grasped. Also notice that the fork is not
heaped full of food.
fork, hold it as directed for mashed potatoes, merely turning the
handle around in the hand so that the left edge of the fork may be
used for cutting.
Sometimes one may hesitate whether to use a fork or a spoon.
In cases like this use the fork if it is sensible to do so. Many
desserts should be eaten with a fork rather than a spoon. Firm
ice cream may be eaten with a fork. A spoon should be used for
soft frozen foods.
There is also sometimes the question whether to cut with the
Good Manners at the Dining Table 13 1