The main topic of the article is the cultural differences in the use of cutlery between America and Europe. American etiquette considers it impolite to hold a fork and knife in hands if not eating, while Europeans generally hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right hand throughout the meal. American Amy Gordy tried to eat in the “European way” and shared a video that sparked a debate about table manners. While some Americans were confused, many Europeans consider the European way correct. Etiquette experts explain that the differences are not about right or wrong but reflect different cultural habits. The topic attracted interest and comments on social media, showing how table manners reflect cultural identity and emotional connection to home.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning sources tend to emphasize the cultural diversity and the importance of understanding and respecting different customs. They highlight the social and emotional aspects of table manners as expressions of cultural identity and encourage openness to learning from other cultures.
Center: Center-leaning sources focus on the factual explanation of the differences in cutlery use between America and Europe. They present the etiquette rules neutrally, explaining the historical and cultural reasons behind the practices without judgment, emphasizing mutual respect for different traditions.
Right: Right-leaning sources may emphasize the preservation of traditional cultural norms and may view the European way as the correct or more refined method. They might critique the American style as less formal or less proper, stressing the importance of maintaining established etiquette standards.
