I’ve been wondering about something related to dining etiquette, and I’d love to hear your opinions.
I understand that in the traditional European or Continental style of dining, the knife is held in the right hand and the fork in the left. You cut with the knife, then eat with the fork still in your left hand.
However, in my religion, there is guidance to eat with the right hand. Because of that, people around me generally handle this in one of two ways: some cut their food with the knife in their right hand, then switch the fork to their right hand to eat, while others simply adapt the way they hold their cutlery.
Personally, I find switching hands after cutting rather inconvenient. Since I'm also quite comfortable handling a knife with my left hand, I do the opposite of the traditional arrangement: fork in my right hand, knife in my left. It allows me to eat comfortably with my right hand without constantly switching cutlery.
Now, I'm curious about how this might come across when dining with other gentlemen.
Would you notice it? Would you consider it a breach of table etiquette, or would you see it as a perfectly reasonable personal adaptation? Would it bother you if someone at your table did this?
I know that some people use a similar arrangement for other reasons, but in my case, it's simply a matter of religious guidance and personal comfort.
I'd genuinely appreciate your perspectives, especially from those familiar with formal dining etiquette. I'm interested in understanding how this is perceived, not in arguing that one approach is better than another.