Forks, spoons and knives, oh my! Do you know how table manners apply to certain foods?

QUESTION: Here are some questions about table manners from one of our readers:

•How do you eat croutons (with fingers, spoon, fork)?

•How do you eat a baked potato (fork, spoon, use knife to cut in small pieces? Do you eat the peel?)?

•How about peas, green beans?

•If you are served meat and it has to be cut, do you cut one piece at a time or can you cut several pieces?

•For garden salad, do you cut into small pieces with knife and then use your fork, or do you cut it up with your fork?

CALLIE’S ANSWER: There are two ways of eating, American style and European style. How you eat specific foods depends on the style you're using. With American style, when you cut your food, your knife is in your right hand and fork in left then put the knife on your plate and eat with your fork in your right hand. With European style, you never switch hands, your knife stays in your right hand and fork in your left. When eating a salad, you do not need to use knife, unless want to. Good luck!

LILLIE-BETH’S ANSWER: Let’s go down your list. I’d eat croutons on a salad with your fork, either jabbing (gently) them or scooping, depending on what works and doesn’t draw attention to yourself. (Obviously, if they’re in soup and you’re already eating with a spoon, use that for croutons.)

A baked potato depends on what part of the potato you like. I generally scoop out the middle with a fork or a spoon and then use a knife to cut up the peel afterward, but if I eat the whole thing together, then I start with a knife and fork.

Peas seem to work best with a spoon, and green beans with a fork and knife.

As for meat, I eat American style, cutting one bite at a time with my knife in my right hand, and then setting the knife down at an angle near the top of my plate to transfer my fork to my right hand. Then I repeat the process, switching hands back and forth one bite at a time. Continental, or European style, is more efficient but not as common in the United States. You keep the knife and fork in the same hands and you hold the fork with the tines facing down, to the table, as you eat. With Continental style, since both hands hold a utensil at all times, you can use your knife to scoop food onto your fork.

With salads, you can either cut with your fork only or use your knife and fork together. It depends on the lettuce and how hard it is to cut.

However you eat, the goal is not to call attention to yourself while doing so. So pick a style and execute it smoothly.

HELEN’S ANSWER: Croutons should be eaten with your fork if served on a salad and with a spoon if served on soup.

A baked potato requires a fork and maybe a knife if you are cutting the potato peel to eat.

Use your fork for peas and green beans.

Meat needs to be cut one piece at a time. You can apply a little force to cut in a zigzag motion while holding the meat down with your fork.

I have used my knife before to cut large salad pieces. Try with your fork first. But be careful not to wave your utensils around causing the people at the table to stop what they are doing to watch you eat. Be discreet. Practice using your good table manners at home and they will serve you well when you are in public eating at a restaurant or at a friend’s house.

GUEST’S ANSWER: Kathy Walker, community leader: My mouth is watering! Whenever eating croutons, I always use a fork, as usually croutons are served on a salad, sometimes on fish, and many times on casseroles. However, sometimes croutons are served on a soup and therefore requires using a spoon. In any case, I would never use my fingers at the table to eat them.

A baked potato can be so delicious. Whether it is served whole or split, always use a knife and fork to eat the potato, particularly if there is an assortment of toppings you have decided to consume along with the skin of the spud! Please only cut with your knife and fork while dining on the main plate.

Whether it be fish, beef, pork, chicken, or a casserole, always use your fork and knife in tandem whether you are eating Continental or American style. Cut only what you are eating, one piece at a time. NEVER cut several pieces at once, unless you are under 4 years old.

Even while munching on peas, corn, grains, or other small fare, use your knife and fork to enjoy what has been served on the table. However, if a sauce is enveloped in the dish, a spoon placed to the right of the knife could be used for eating that sauce.

I love to serve the salad at the end of the main course, sometimes with cheese, and before dessert is served. I tear the pieces of lettuce small enough so that guests can eat the dressed greens with only a fork. However, if a principal is the salad, use a knife and fork!

I’ve found wonderful silverplate cutlery in vintage and antique shops. It’s a change and rather fun to dress a table without using sterling flatware. It adds a bit of nostalgia to the table setting and the conversation among the guests while using your knife and fork! Bon Appetit!

Since 2009, Callie, Lillie-Beth and Helen have written this generational etiquette column. They also include guest responses from a wide range of ages each week. So many years later, Callie is 20-plus; Lillie-Beth is 40-plus and Helen is 60-plus. To ask an etiquette question, email helen.wallace@cox.net.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 20-40-60 etiquette: Forks, spoons and knives, oh my! Do you know how table manners apply to certain foods?