It's funny what each of us think as the right way and the wrong way.

My hubby's parents always insisted their children set the table "the right way"when growing up. Knife and spoon on right side of plate and the fork on the left. That is done in nicer restaurants as well. I guess this is for European eating but they didn't eat like Europeans. We would set the table with all the utinsils on the right side of the plate. Then I see my hubby at times cup the fork in the palm of his hand instead of laying the fork between the forefinger and thumb, like a child eating. That also looks like shoveling to me. I never say anything to him about it, it's too little to worry about but he will comment on how I set a table. Just silly. LOL

Also when I see a movie with people eating the Euopean way I notice they rarely look at their companion. The are too busy putting the food on the fork and loading it up just so. I actually miss out on what they are saying, I get too engrossed with their food handling. And how do people eat peas? Are they mashed onto the fork? EWWW, I don't want to see any food mashed before going into the mouth except mashed potatoes. LOL Anyway, with the American way with putting the knife down you can look up at your companion and talk to them better while switching.

Also, with the fork facing up you can scoop the peas and other hard to eat food onto the fork and into the mouth in one movement. I wouldn't know how to eat with a fork down, no way to scoop the food up that way. LOL No need to use bread to sop up the juice on the plate which is another pet peeve of mine.

Do Europeans not eat mashed potatoes? I could never eat mashed potatoes with the fork down. LOL

I guess we all just need to eat and not watch our neighbor. As far as movies, leave out the eating scene. LOL