A viral TikTok video featuring Amy Gordy has ignited a heated discussion about dining etiquette, particularly between American and European styles of eating. Gordy attempts to demonstrate the “continental” method, where one keeps the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right throughout the meal. This contrasts sharply with the typical American practice of dropping the knife to switch the fork to the right hand. Despite her intention to adopt a more refined approach, viewers quickly pointed out her awkwardness with the utensils, leading to a flurry of online commentary that deemed her eating habits “primitive” compared to European standards.
The video went viral, accumulating over 2 million views and sparking significant debate over the propriety of her dining methods. Critics on social media expressed disbelief over her technique, with one viewer exclaiming the sight was as irritating as nails on a chalkboard. Adding fuel to the fire, Gordy’s husband can be heard in the background criticizing her utensil grip as “rude,” which further incited outrage among followers who felt it was commonplace to discuss while eating. Comments flooded in, supporting the notion that dining etiquette should not restrict conversation and dismissing the husband’s critiques as out of touch.
Some users pointed out that Gordy misrepresented the European technique, flipping her hands in a way that strayed from traditional continental practice. A commenter expressed frustration, asserting that what she attempted was not just a method but “the correct way” to dine. Others took a more relaxed stance, suggesting there isn’t a definitive “correct” manner of eating, as long as one isn’t creating a mess. This disagreement underscores the broader cultural divide regarding dining etiquette across different regions, particularly between European and American customs.
While Gordy’s fork-and-knife antics became the center of attention, the conversation led to a deeper exploration of dining faux pas. British etiquette expert William Hanson added to the conversation with a series of tutorials on what he deemed the “proper” ways to consume various foods. His insistence on using utensils for eating a banana—claiming that it is inappropriate to peel one like a “primate”—left many astounded. This level of formality around casual eating rituals highlighted a stark difference in dining philosophies and practices.
Hanson’s tutorials did not stop at bananas; he provided similarly stringent guidelines for consuming grapes, recommending the use of scissors to snip a small bunch onto a plate. Such rules seem to further alienate American audiences who generally adopt a more relaxed approach to food. His antics and the ensuing discussions reflect an ongoing tension surrounding dining etiquette standards, bringing to light the complexities of cultural differences in eating practices.
Overall, Gordy’s unintentional social experiment has not only sparked a lighthearted debate on social media but also illustrates a much larger conversation about cultural perceptions of civility and formality at the dining table. Lovers of etiquette on both sides have much to argue about, but perhaps the real takeaway is the importance of conversation and enjoyment in dining—no matter what tools one chooses to use.
