5 Ways British and American Meal Etiquette is Very Different 

See? I knew I'd mess up the American utensil etiquette. Apparently it's similar to the European way when cutting, but then similar to what I showed thereafter to eat - only switching to your right hand. What a roller-coaster!

When my son was eight, he was asked to say grace at a special dinner. He bowed his head and started talking. A lady at the table interrupted him saying, "Stop mumbling. I can't understand you!" He looked up at her and replied, "That's okay. I'm not talking to you." Then he continued with no further interruptions.

Perhaps Americans could have quieter dinner conversations if the restaurant turned down the damn background music so that we can hear each other at standard indoor conversation volume.

In States often hold fork in left hand, cut with knife in right hand. Then put down knife, switch fork to right hand and eat.

I’m American, and I’ve always cut meat the “correct” way you showed, but I also use a fork every other way you illustrated, too. It depends on the food. Very versatile weapon, uh tool, the fork.

Instead of a European experience with saying grace, how about a South African's experience? My husband, like you, came to the US for the first time around Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving was, therefore, the first big family meal he shared with us. We had a tradition where my Grandmother would start the prayer, then we would go around the table adding something for which we were personally grateful. Now my husband is a native Afrikaans speaker and learned English as a child from cartoons. So he wasn't too up on the lingo, so to speak. As a result, he said he was grateful for the hospitality he received on this the day when Americans celebrated eating the Indians. Yep, that's right. He forgot the "with." My mother, an amateur historian, without missing a beat, said "oh, no, honey. That's the Donner party, not the Pilgrims." So my husband believed, at least for the first few years he lived here, that we had an annual holiday to celebrate cannibalism. And he still agreed to become a US citizen.

Having worked as a server and bartender in my younger years, I’ve got to tell you ... we don’t LOVE checking every 5 minutes. We realize that it’s disruptive. However, especially in large restaurant chains, our supervisors force us to do this. A server can be disciplined if she/ he doesn’t not do the 2-minute/2-bite check in. Secret shoppers and corporate inspectors are specifically asked to look for this. Every customer hates it. Every server hates it. It’s the upper management who missed that memo.

One of my Korean teachers did an exchange year at university in the US. He lived with a host family. The mom of this family was like my own mom and a lot of others back then At the family dinner mom peppers you with questions about your day. My teacher said he struggled with this. He didn't want to talk with a mouth full of food but he didn't want to stop eating in case his hostess would think he didn't like the food. Also, his food was getting cold and he grew up with chopsticks and so was learning how to deal with cutlery etiquette. Koreans have a lot of respect for elders, plus they had taken him into their home. He told me he finally he got up the courage to ask one of the sons in the family for help and I guess the kid spoke with the mom, because mom waited until dessert for the questions after that. She wasn't trying to be mean she was just excited and curious to have him there.

My husband spent some time in The Netherlands and adopted the continental style of using utensils. I use mine the American way. Our kids picked up a mixture of both as a result, though they mostly use the continental method. It's much more efficient. One of my daughters-in-law commented on it once, and told us how confused she was when she first started coming to family dinners. ETA: I don't care how others hold their cutlery, just chew with your mouth closed.

9:33 There's nothing I love more than hearing British people's imitation of American accents, they always end up sounding like either a caricature of a New Yorker or a cowboy who's recently suffered a stroke.

In the US, the more expensive the restaurant, the quieter we are. We expect cheaper family restaurants to be loud.

I was working at McDonald's and I had a British person and try to tip me it was very funny conversation we had I basically explained that if the waiter comes to your table then it's generally accepted to tip if you have to order at a counter with exception of bars you don't

One of the best parts about this series is Lawrence’s impressions of American accents.

I remember restaurants...In the before times. I just eat with my hands now, after I’ve properly bleach-bathed them.

My American, Irish Catholic, Grandfather’s meal time prayer was “Thank God it’s here.” Lol

I think nowadays saying "grace" in America is only for super religious families or definitely in the south. It's more of an older tradition that most American families don't really do, at least not for every meal. Yes, maybe just Thanksgiving or Christmas, as the two biggest family / meal holidays. I remember when I was little and we went to someone else's house for Thanksgiving (long-time friend of the family's, not related) there were like 20 other people there. Everyone got a plate of food, sat down, and the host gave a speech / said grace, then we all started eating. You are very correct that it's like a moment of silence to pay your respects, and then it's time to celebrate (eat and chat). Also, the chatting part was amusing to me because at any large table with more than 8+ people, most divide up conversations between just the people next to them or across from them. There could be four or five different conversations going on at the same table if it's a large party. If you're in the middle, you might go back and forth looking at one person talking, then a different person talking, and you feel awkward trying to decide whose conversation to listen to, lol

We watch a lot of British tv shows and have noticed the differences in the way characters hold their forks in particular. Thanks for explaining this as we wondered if that person in the story just had bad manners or the tines down fork was really a thing. It looks so unusual to this American.

On those rare occasions when I’m asked to say grace, i say this: “ Some people have an appetite, but no food. Some people have food, but no appetite. We have both, and for that, we give thanks.”

The diffrence in eating brought me a chuckle. My youngest had to move back to the USA from Germany because I went to Iraq. My mother took him and my little brother to pizza hut and he requested a knife and fork. A elderly couple was at the next table and asked My son where he moved from and he told them. The gentleman was a veteran and told him never let anyone tease him about his table manners.

My friend and I went to England in 2011. I didn't notice that much difference at restaurants from back home in terms of noise and service quality. And now that I think about it, I think we tipped what we normally do (20%). It never occurred to us not to tip. My friend's first job was as a waitress making $1.60 an hour, so tipping is something we've always been conscious of.

Utensil "etiquette" has always been funny to me. But I've actually realized in recent years how much I appreciate the general American style of only picking up the knife to make a few cuts, then going back to the fork only. It slows the meal deal, and allows it to be more of a social experience. The time I've spent in Europe (Germany, in particular), I always felt the meal was rushed with both utensils constantly in-hand and not taking a break. The one big exception to this in my European travel/living has been the French countryside, where multiple courses, multiple drink pairings (even a meal at someone's house - I'm not talking about going out to eat), where the pacing slows things down and promotes that communal element that I so love about food and drink.

Having traveled a bit when I was in the US military, I've realized that tipping in the US is essentially subsidizing the restaurant owner by paying their servers for them.

The worst is when servers bug you every five minutes, and then suddenly disappear for an hour after giving you your check and you just want to pay and get out of there...

For context, I was raised Baptist but concerted to Catholicism in high school with my parents. I've found that my baptist family say grace much more regularly than the Catholic friends my parents invited over. Baptist grace tended to be very free form, based on whatever is going on for the people at the meal at that time, while Catholic grace is usually a specific prayer with maybe a short specific thanks given at the end. I also didn't often run into hand holding; that tends to be a special gathering thing for both but slightly more common with Catholics

I’m an American, from the Midwest (MN) - my family isn’t religious & growing up, we never said “grace”. My first time experiencing it was with my ex’s extended family in Pennsylvania & they all held hands. He didn’t tell me about it prior to dinner, so it was quite awkward & surprising for me. He was equally as surprised when I asked him about it afterwards & told him I’d never seen/done that before 🤷🏼‍♀️

Sitting though Grace as a guest when it's not something you do in your own home is the most awkward thing ever.

My stepdad used to say "If you don't bless the food before you eat it, it goes to hell." I once finally replied "I don't care where it winds up as long as it goes through my digestive system first."

"My wife says I still eat like a toddler" 😂😂😂😂😂😂 I am so dead. 😂😂😂😂😂😂

At my table, we held hands and said grace for every meal. When the kids brought their friends over, we still did it. I was surprised that their friends enjoyed it, too. It was never mandatory, but rather grateful and joyful for being together with God and the food we had.

I'm an American, we went to church every Sunday, but only said Grace on holiday meals. My husband's family day Grace before every meal, all the time.😊. So even American families differ from each other.😊

in london last year i was having lunch at a pub, i got on very well with the bartender and asked about tipping. His response was perfect. It’s not expected, but we don’t mind it.

You are cracking me up! This is great! 1. My mom wished we were British growing up in the early 80s - 90s. I was literally taught how to use cutlery the European way. So much so, that it was hard for me to learn the American way. But, let's be honest, American forks and knives are far less efficient. And my mom taught us to do it with "elegance". 2. I've seen praying in a number of ways. Mine was fairly subdued. German paternal background, mom wanting us to be British. 3. The restaurants are wild! I understand that there will be a variety of people and interactions at a restaurant. It's a trip sometimes! It's sometimes comparable to attempting to control the volume of students in a school cafeteria. Yikes, cafeteria duty is exhausting! 3. I've been a server. The biggest bummer was getting business men at lunch, the "Suits" or Europeans. Lol! Not sure about the suits, but we always knew people from other countries have a different culture around tipping. We never served them differently. We understood the cultural difference. The hourly rate for servers is still approximately $2.33/hr in my home city and state, in 2023. Same as it was in 1993. Wow! That is why I teach my students to completely understand percentage. Lol! Seriously though, my 25 year old daughter makes BANK as a server and bartender. She will have a hard time when she has to take jobs entry level in mental health because she's studying to become a licensed therapist at the University. Thus far she's paid for all of her classes and lives on her own. 4. I think your content is great. Furthermore I really appreciate that you state disclaimers of sorts before you share information. It is a very responsible way to share what you've experienced, despite being married into a US family. Sound data from a diverse and large sample with a specific hypothesis and experimental design is the "best" way we can examine differences or test a question. So, I legitimately appreciate your comments and appreciation of regional, personal, etc., differences. You don't broad stroke purposely in the least, yet you hit the nail on the head often. Well done!

@Lost in the Pond My granny was adamant that you NEVER EVER use a knife in order to cut potatoes. I think this stems back to the times when cutlery was indeed silverware and when knifes were made entirely out of some sort of silver-alloy, or were at least silver-plated. Cutting potatoes with a silver knife would expose the blade to the starch and proteins of the potato which could lead to the blade becoming tarnished. She also taught me that you should not use your fork to scoop up food like it was a spoon.

The guy who told you 85% was definitely a server.

I don't mind saying Grace, but what I do detest is when it is used to lay out all sorts of prayers and petitions. Grace is to thank God for the food, not to ask Him to heal your kidney stones or help in a job search. Everyone is hungry, let them eat and save those prayers for a more appropriate time. I know this sounds rude, but I think it is even more rude to use mealtime prayers in that way.

Re Grace: I’m an American Catholic, and instead of one person at the table spontaneously coming up with a prayer and everyone else saying “amen,” we have a mealtime prayer that everyone say’s together (Bless us O Lord and these thy gifts which we are about to receive from thy bounty through Christ our Lord, Amen). This was the prayer I said at home, at relatives’ houses, and at Catholic school before meals growing up. Now, I was once at my piano teacher’s house - she used to throw a Christmas pizza party for her students every year. Before we went down to eat, she asked that we sat grace, “It’s the prayer that most of you know, I’m sure.” So I launched into my normal grace, but everyone around me started saying what I learned later was the Lutheran table prayer. It felt like I entered the twilight zone! Everyone was sideways glancing at me like I was the weirdo. tldr: I said Catholic grace in the middle of Lutheran country

Off subject but here’s a shoutout for your glasses. The shape is great. I swore I wouldn’t wear large glasses again (I was there for an earlier iteration 40 years ago) but now I’m thinking maybe I could wear these now.

Parents who allow their kids to wander around in a restaurant should be asked to leave.

I laughed throughout the whole thing, especially the accent. "How's the tenderloin working out for you." LOL

I didn't realize that is video is older so you may have already figured this out, but during the dinner prayer it's totally acceptable to look around the table to see who else doesn't have their eyes closed. It's kind of a family bonding moment/tradition.

I had an amusing story from my tweenaged years where a friend who's family was all about using the proper eating etiquette got annoyed at me for the way I eat. See, I'm ambidextrous, and with my upbringing being almost literally in a barn, I had essentially no concept of which hand is supposed to hold the knife, etc etc. I was just this weird little girl who would constantly swap which hand the knife or fork is in, sometimes swapping mid bite or cutting or whatever. It was really really funny at the time, and honestly even funnier to me now that this kid cared so much about his friend eating "wrong."

Server based in Cardiff, Wales here! Typically when it comes to serving tables, there's a reason that we keep away, we don't want to annoy people or get in their way. To people over here, it's seen as really rude and interruptive if they're checked on usually more than once, if they want your attention they'll make it known. That's not to say we don't check in on them regularly, we just do so silently just by glancing at their tables, drinks and faces to see if it's all looking good mood wise. One time my supervisor checked on my table for me and forgot to tell me, so when I went to check on the table the customer exploded in my face demanding privacy, wanted to see the manager and everything. On the flip side, being in the Welsh capital we get American tourists a lot and some of them say that it seems like we're unenthusiastic to engage with them (because of this etiquette), most of the time when I explain the cultural difference and that we just want to let them have their time how they want it without being interrupted they're fine with it, as a matter of fact only one table didn't understand and was still angry (but they also complained at the start that Welsh was on the first page and English was on the second so I really didn't care what they thought from the get go, don't go for the language in Wales it's an easy way to not be liked lmao)

I’m a waitress in the restaurant of an Irish 4 star hotel, during our peak tour season (roughly April-October) we get a lot of tour buses full of Americans, from my experience they are usually the kindest but definitely the loudest groups that we serve! It’s quite comical the increase in decibel level in the restaurant once the Americans arrive! Wishing I was chatting to and serving 60 Americans some hearty Irish stew instead of being quarantined at home right now😢

Saying grace isn't a thing only in the United States. My wife is from Colombia and they also say grace there. Also, in her family as in my own family, everyone at the table joins hands during grace. The point of the whole thing is to take a moment to be grateful that you have a meal in front of you when not everyone in the world is so fortunate.

I know it's just a British saying, and I love hearing it. But, yes. Bob is my uncle. I have two in fact. One is my dad's brother and the other is married to my dad's younger sister. 🙃😉 Saying a kind of grace before eating is very common in Japan: itadakimasu いただきます I will enjoy this (loose translation) Followed by, after finishing the meal: Gochisosamadeshita ごちそうさまでした 'Thank you for this meal'

My favorite British trait, which I call 'The Prompt'. You likely do it and are completely unaware of it. As you stated the British are by and large a bit more private and stand-offish than Americans. Thus you've perfected the pacifying small talk in interactions with acquaintances or a stranger you are forced to encounter that allows you to be polite but not very engaging.. However, Ive found that when a British person wants to have a more in depth and engaging conversation, they will ask you a question and give this very particular look and motion. Its hard to describe, but essentially they widen their eyes, look directly at you and move their head forward as though they are trying to hear you better, or like they are gesturing for an expected answer ( like wen interrogating a shy child and you ask a question and this same notion lets them know you demand an answer). Its very subtle body language, but says volumes. It says, " Yes, I want to have a REAL conversation with you beyond polite platitudes." I got used to seeing it in England, but recently a British co-worker here in the states, who usually just say hello and moves on came up to me and ask a question and gave 'the prompt'. I almost laughed but instead launched into a nice chat with him.

Most people who go on quiet dates or want quiet conversation here in the States rarely go to family restaurants. Here, the more expensive or high end usually means the less noisey.

My paternal grandparents emigrated from Sweden. It was a given that a meal at FarMor and FarFar’s ( Father’s mother and Father’s father) included the Swedish table grace, in Swedish. If I am asked to give the grace, I usually say it in Swedish, and then again in English. Needless to say, I am very proud of my Swedish heritage! I also have UK roots, back to the Domesday Book, with English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish ancestors. I found it very easy to adopt the continental method of holding the fork in the left hand all the time. Do you know why we Americans switch hands when using our forks? It came about during the Revolutionary War. The Patriots wanted to break ties with all things British, and that included how we hold our fork to insert food into our mouths. Just a little trivia😁

Being a member of the LDS (Mormon) Church, we have always said a blessing on the food. My wife is from the Philippines, but I met her in the UK in Norwich ( she also is an LDS member), I met her at church there. Every time we went to dinner with other Filipinos (LDS or other beliefs) we always said a blessing. It’s cultural I guess.

When I lived in the States I soon found out that if you want an undisturbed meal tell the server "we have everything we need and I'll give you a nod when we want the bill thank you".

Grace is how the irreverent cousins find each other at Thanksgiving - you look around to see who else has their eyes open and bond with them.

As a Brit, I find that cutlery usage depends on what the found is. If it's something hard like potato or meat, I'll use the fork to pierce the food and hold it still whilst I cut/saw it into a more manageable size, and then put it into my mouth with the bend going up. But if it's something like curry with rice, you can't pierce it, and so I place the fork to the food, use the knife to scoop it onto the fork, and then scoop it into my mouth with the bend of the fork facing down. The difficulty then comes with something in between, like with pasta, cus that can be feasibly either scooped or pierced depending on the type of pasta (and how it's cooked with the rest of the food). I will note that spaghetti (as with noodles) is done completely differently, in that you have to scoop the fork into to get it stuck around the prongs of the fork, but then use the knife to wrap it round the fork so that you can put it in your mouth without it hanging on. I'd be interested if there's a difference in custom as to what you do with the knife and fork when you're not using it. In the UK I find that if it's during the meal, you hang it of the side of the plate (with the handle part leaning on the table, and the put in your food part leaning on the side of the plate), but then at the end of the meal, you put both pieces of cutlery on the middle of the plate facing the same way

Growing up in Northern Illinois in the United States, we prayed during dinner, which we called supper. Back then, we had breakfast, dinner and supper. Now, because I'm so cosmopolitan 😂I eat breakfast, lunch and dinner.

I'm from Paisley in Scotland and we said grace at every meal for the first 14 years of my life til my Gran died. Gran insisted upon it as well as impeccable table manners and etiquette. Please may I leave the table was the only way you were allowed get down from her massive dining chairs when I was a child.

When we were kids, we said Grace for big extended family meals. Our Uncle Leo lived on the other side of the country, but came back for Thansgiving and Christmas. We always wanted him to say grace - but my Grandmother hated it. Leo' s prayer - For all we eat , for ll we wear, we thank GOD for our underwear

😂the holding the silverware used to get me everytime watching Downton Abbey. 😂 I'd think, how are they holding rice with their forks upside down? Everything is spot on

Ah, fond memories of the trauma of dinners with my American Step-mom and British-To-The-Bone Grandmother. No matter which way I did it I had to hear all about it afterward. And everyone wonders why I got such a passion for Asian foods. Chopsticks. So simple.

American here, prayers before meals is a parody in my home. We felt Grace was getting too much attention so we cycle through a multitude of names. This evening Mike blessed my potatoes. I am not joking.

Just found Lost in the Pond. Super funny. Enjoy this style of humor.

Been to the US multiple times, tipped everytime, but I do not like it. Tipping in Europe is a way how to appreciete exceptional service and not obligation, I feel that is right way.

My mother was a Swedish immigrant. I used my fork and knife "European style" growing up, did not really know that it was referred to as that particular style, until eating with others and hearing remarks as -"Oh, you eat European style". Why people are bothered by these things is a mystery. As long as one is not messy or obnoxious while eating, any technique should be acceptable. Love your channel.

🙋🏼‍♀️ I grew up saying grace at every family sit down dinner. (Which was probably about 5 nights a week.)

I’m a U.S. Citizen. I dislike being called “American”. I know it’s common to assume that refers to a U.S. Citizen, but we have a lot of Americas, Canada, U.S.A., Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, Chile, Panama, Argentina….to name a few. North, Central, South Americans. Right, now on to eating. My grandmother was from England, and she was very adamant about certain pronunciations and spellings. I still want to write Tyre etc…. So I am a mix, but we always ate continental style as you do. I say things like “car park”, “pavement”, “toilet” or “loo”….and other things that seem weird a lot of the times if I slip up. My son hates when I say “mum”, being raised in Pennsylvania I understand. Love your videos.

When we'd say grace when I was a kid we'd always hold hands. My grandpa would always be next to me. After "Amen" he'd say "Squeeze!!" and squeeze my hand. It was the best.

I really enjoy hearing about the customs of people outside of America.

If a wait staff keeps bothering me, they get a less tip. I'm here to eat the food, but my conversations and me eating my food, is my time. If I want something, I'll raise my hand.

You have a wonderful brain and great openness in your thinking. I am surely a misplaced Brit. I am obsessed with British Medieval history. I literally grew up in professional theatre ( had to get rid of southern accent at age 9) and I swear to you, somehow, I understood Shakespeare from the start. Love you people!

Oh man, I had the opposite prayer cross-continental issue! The first meal I ate with my Kiwi/Aussie in-laws, they didn't initiate any kind of prayer at dinner. Struck me odd, as most of them are members of christian churches, but no big deal to me. I made the sign of the cross and quickly blessed my own food (I'm orthodox) and got to eating. Suddenly, they are freaked out that they've been rude to ME, and my dear mum in law assures me that we can say grace if it'd make me more comfortable. I'm then trying to assure her that I'm always going to bless my food, but have no need for other people to pray about their food if that isn't what they'd normally do. Awkward 5 minutes!

The reason the sound level of each table keeps going up when youre at a restaurant is because each table has to fight to hear itself speak amongst the nearby tables, so it forms an escalating noise. Some Americans, not all, consider eating at a restaurant to be the same thing as attending a party.

I know these videos are a few years old, but I just found them and I am enjoying the information so much! Thanks for your videos

My grandparents were from Britain and Scotland so I know about the chatter and the differences at meals, I remember improper use of fork and knife or too much chatter brought a smack on the hand with the handle of a dinner knife lol. Don't know if it was that way for you but you sure bring back funny memories. Thank you for your posts.:)

I'm an American and yes we are loud, I dislike to talk when I'm eating and people's annoying kids running around.

"In my wife's words I still eat like a toddler" Me: welcome to the club

This was great . I often wondered about the American way of eating and those “saying grace” before a meal...love your glasses btw 😉👍

My dad was raised until age 11 in Glasgow, Scotland and then in Chicago. I learned both ways to hold utensils for eating and I still use them interchangeably

Regards to food Brits "Tuck In" and Americans "Dig In"

Whenever i talk with American people my English accent/politeness gets stronger and stronger until i start sounding like i'm in a Jane Austin novel.

The way you showed the utensil etiquette for Britain is the way I learned how to properly use them when I was growing up, and I'm from Texas, so at least some of us Americans are on the same page. Of course, I have eaten the other way when eating alone at times I'm not concerned with proper etiquette, but whenever I go to a Dining In (I'm in the military) or any other formal dining event, I make sure to use proper etiquette, and I hold the fork and knife in the exact way you demonstrated as the "British" way.

Tipping is weird here in Australia too. Usually only in more posh restaurants. My daughter was a waitress in a high class restaurant and did get tips often but any average restaurants do not tip. They might have a tip jar at the register but that's it

We are Christian, but my husband and I never said Grace or a prayer at meals (I’ve always found it such an arbitrary time to pray). My parents came for Thanksgiving when our daughter was about 3, and asked her to ‘say Grace’. Poor kid was very confused about why Grandma and Grandpa wanted her to say her middle name out loud at the table. 😂

I actually switch the fork to the left and use my knife in the right when doing heavy duty cutting. Then switch the fork to the right to transfer food to the gob. 🤣 I wonder if the volume of voices in American restaurants is due to the volume of the music. I always feel that I must raise my voice to be heard above it.

Thank you for your insight. My Grandmother was British. So I learned " good formal table manners" at a very early age, thank goodness 🇬🇧 The only time we say a prayer isnon Friday night... Love your You tube Show, and miss hearing her accent so very much 🇬🇧🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟☄🕯

Yes, we do say grace. Even when eating out sometimes. We realize there is much for which we should be grateful. Just found your videos and enjoying them. Howdy, from TEXAS.

In American restaurants such as Outback, Longhorn, Chili’s, Applebee’s, or any “sit down a while” restaurant, there are some unspoken rules about interacting with the waiter. The waiter shows your your table and asks what you’d like to drink. When he returns with the drink, he informs you of today’s special dishes and asks if you’d like an appetizer. During this time he will leave you alone, but he will always be in the corner of the room watching and scanning all the tables to see if you’re ready to order. If you’re ready to order, put your menu down and sit back with your chin high. Thai usually gets their attention without needing to ever draw your focus to the waiter. if you’re taking longer than expected to decide what you want, the waiter will come by and ask if you’re ready or have any questions. When you’re out of water, place your glass at the end of the table carefully avoiding your guests’ “plate area”. Waiters make rounds frequently through the dining room to refill drinks. I have always known that it is normal to pause your conversation when the waiter comes by. Always say thank you. They will try to up sale you, just say no. When you’re done with your plate, silverware goes on the plate in a way where it looks like you’re not going to grab in anymore. Usually an X on the plate. After your American sized entree they’ll ask if you want dessert, you don’t need it, and if you do, it’s better and cheaper at other restaurants.

My grandmother remarried to an Englishmen when my mother and her siblings where very young. They were taught the "English" way to use their utinsils. All the grandchildren where taught the same way. It wasn't uncommon to hear other families say how well mannered we all where at the dinner table. We were just doing what we were taught.

For bars, my go-to is usually $1/drink for tips, maybe more if it's a complicated drink

Good American cutlery etiquette says to hold the fork in the left and knife in the right hand for cutting, and then lay the knife down, switch the fork to the right and proceed to shovel the food in. Legend has it that this switching was a devised as a signal among the revolutionary colonists to identify themselves to each other in public eating places.

I can't even tell you how many times the waitress has asked how everything tastes when I'm clearly still chewing my first bite. XD I mean I love the enthusiasm but let me chew!

A few years ago I learned that holding utensils as in England, fork in left-tines down and knife in right, eating is much easier. I don't have to keep switching utensils in order to get the cutting done.

I love hearing his experience with the prayer everyone sits there awkwardly with their eyes closed lmfao except your younger sister staring dead at you and making faces

My family not only doesn't say 'grace', but this reminded me of the mom from the British sitcom Bread commanding, "prayers!!".

Southerners in America are a whole different breed than the north

I always equated the dinner table with food, talking, and laughing.

I grew up in an American suburban family. Saying grace is something that's typically just a few lines spoken symbolically on special occasions like Thanksgiving or Christmas. I'm not very religious, but in my family it's just been a way to show our appreciation for the meal we are about to eat and the things we are grateful for in life. It's really not a big deal, just a moment of silence and a few phrases, and then everybody is ready to tuck in to some turkey and mashed potatoes with gravy right afterwards. Just a small gesture of gratitude that takes a few seconds but means a lot. Per tradition, in my family it always ends with "bless the hands which prepared the food, amen" or something like that. My grandfather always did the blessing, and after his passing the honor was passed on to me. I keep it short and sweet but always keep his main message at heart. Always appreciate what you have.

“How’s that tenderloin doing for ya?” is the best American impersonation you’ve ever done.

I'm American & remember a time when restaurants weren't so noisy... I find it very annoying myself. Higher end restaurants seem to be quieter for the most part, but honestly I almost never go out to eat anymore...

Our family always holds hands and says grace at family dinners. Especially Thanks giving where we each say what we are grateful for and Christmas when we thank God for Christ and His blessing on us.

“I typically tip particularly if I’m on a trip” what a mouthful lmao

9:30 That accent genuinely shocked me it was so accurate 😂

“I just sat there because I didn’t know what to do” yep you did the correct thing