Fork or Finger?

Have you ever found yourself in a restaurant and wondered, “Should I pick up this food with my fingers?” Well, if you have, look no further than this 1952 Fall River Herald News article titled “The Correct Thing.”

According to author Elinor Ames, one should “never use a fork if the fingers will do it neatly and never use a knife if a fork can do the job.” There you have it folks, only use your fork when your fingers simply will not do.

Proper table etiquette can sometimes leave people stumped, especially because things are constantly changing, insofar as what is deemed acceptable. Are these concerns purely situational or is there a golden rule for every situation?

The real question on this archivist’s mind is: Does one use a spoon or a fork for pie? Does it depend on the pie? What if it is served with ice cream?

Give us your best “Elinor Ames” advice in the comments. What do you think is the correct thing?