<P> Originally, the traditional European method, once the fork was adopted as a utensil, was to transfer the fork to the right hand after cutting food, as it had been considered proper for all utensils to be used with the right hand only . This tradition was brought to America by British colonists and is still in use in the United States . Europe adopted the more rapid style of eating in relatively modern times . </P> <P> The European style is to hold the fork in the left hand and the knife in the right . Once a bite - sized piece of food has been cut, it is conducted straight to the mouth by the left hand . For other items, such as potatoes, vegetables or rice, the blade of the knife is used to assist or guide placement of the food on the back of the fork . The tines remain pointing down . </P> <P> The knife and fork are both held with the handle running along the palm and extending out to be held by thumb and forefinger . This style is sometimes called "hidden handle" because the palm conceals the handle . </P> <P> In the American style, also called the zig - zag method or fork switching, the knife is initially held in the right hand and the fork in the left . Holding food to the plate with the fork tines - down, a single bite - sized piece is cut with the knife . The knife is then set down on the plate, the fork transferred from the left hand to the right hand, and the food is brought to the mouth for consumption . The fork is then transferred back to the left hand and the knife is picked up with the right . In contrast to the European hidden handle grip, in the American style the fork is held much like a spoon or pen once it is transferred to the right hand to convey food to the mouth . Though called "American style", this style originated in Europe . </P>

Eating with your fork in your right hand