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<h2>Dining Differences Between Cultures</h2>
<p>When Brooke Black and her Danish husband started living together in the U.S., their distinct dining habits didn’t initially seem notable to her. However, after relocating to Denmark in 2020, she noticed her eating style was quite different from that of her husband and other Europeans.</p>
<p>Reflecting on her upbringing in Illinois, Black shares that her family’s dining etiquette only involved forks unless a meal required cutting with a knife. “I have never used a knife in my life,” she states. She humorously adds that a fork can also serve as a knife, as she never adopted the American technique of 'zigzagging'—where one uses the knife in their dominant hand to cut, then switches the fork back to that hand for eating.</p>
<p>At family functions in Denmark, she found herself noticeably different, as she eats with her fork in the right hand (tines up) while the knife remains next to the plate. Her husband's family often teases her about her eating style, as they use the fork in their left hand and the knife in their right hand during meals.</p>
<h2>Adapting to Continental Style</h2>
<p>Although she tries to embrace the Continental dining style when in public, there are times she still feels uncomfortable and out of place at the table. “They have calm, sensible manners, while I’m just a loud person trying to stab my food,” she jokes.</p>
<p>The contrasts in dining etiquette can be complex. While there are clear distinctions between American and Continental styles, they may also vary slightly between cultures. According to etiquette expert Jacqueline Whitmore, in the Continental style, both the knife and fork are used simultaneously, with the fork bringing food to the mouth tines down, while the knife remains in the dominant hand. Conversely, the American style involves cutting food with the knife in one hand, then placing it down to switch the fork to the dominant hand.</p>
<h2>Etiquette and Adaptation</h2>
<p>Lizzie Post, co-president of The Emily Post Institute, explains that whether an American should adapt their dining style when traveling depends on the context. She believes that one can still eat in a familiar style if they feel more comfortable. However, she encourages travelers to embrace local dining customs if they are in a different cultural setting.</p>
<p>As etiquette varies with different cultures, the core principle remains: being considerate of those around you. Hosts should make guests feel at ease, fostering a respectful dining experience regardless of cultural differences.</p>
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