Thursday, March 22, 2007

Eating Etiquette

The following was sent to us via email. We do not know the answer. Do you?

“I was born and raised in New England, and it was always the custom to eat with the fork in the right hand , but change hands when you cut your meat, with knife in your right hand, fork in your left. Then place the knife at the top of your plate, switch hands, and then eat with the fork in your right hand.

I was just on a cruise with People from United Kingdom and I was the only one eating the way I was raised to eat. Everyone was fascinated!

When we ever saw someone eating with the fork in the left hand and knife in the right and never changing hands, we were taught, that that was bad manners.

My question is: Where did the traditional way of eating satrt?? Which way???”

Polly

Visit projectbritain.com for more about British life and culture.

Monday, March 05, 2007

Can Royal Family vote in a General Election?

“I find your web pages fascinating and very informative. Please can you tell me if any members of the Royal Family are allowed to vote in a General Election?
Thank you in anticipation.” Owen

It is commonly thought that members of the Royal family are not allowed to vote, but this is not true. The Queen can vote, as can members of her family, but they do not do so because in practice it would be considered unconstitutional.