What can you eat without a knife and fork—that is, with your hands? The typical lawyer’s answer is, “It depends.” And it’s true here, too. Namely, it depends on the setting. At a formal dinner, you’ll always have to struggle with a knife and fork. The exception is artichokes. You can pluck the leaves with your hands and dip them in the vinaigrette sauce. That’s why, at formal occasions, if at all, you’ll find pre-prepared artichoke hearts.

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I’ve only seen someone eat with their hands once at a state banquet—namely, President Jacques Chirac, who snatched a marzipan decoration from the cake—which was merely being carried past him—with the words, “I love these so much!” He probably did it to lighten the mood and could get away with it because he was the host.

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Chicken Drumsticks and Ribs

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At the table, you should only eat with your hands if the host or hostess gives permission or sets an example. This is more likely to happen during informal meals with family and friends. This convenience is particularly appreciated when eating poultry—such as chicken and goose legs—ribs, or even pizza, which occasionally require a rather forceful use of a knife and fork.

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So it depends on the setting whether you can do without a knife and fork. This is obviously the case at a hot dog or kebab stand, where everything—except for a small plastic fork for the currywurst—is prepared to be eaten by hand, and at a summer picnic outdoors.

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With Lobster Cutlery

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By the way, it’s a good idea to check what cutlery the hosts have provided. You should use that. In principle, though, if you don’t want to get your hands wet and sticky, you can eat everything with a knife and fork—from chicken legs to fruit for dessert. It just takes a little practice. Though I must admit that I’d rather skip dessert than tackle a peach (and that’s still relatively easy) with a knife and fork. For some dishes, such as lobster and other crustaceans, there is special cutlery, which the host should also provide if they’re serving them.

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How Saint Martin Was Betrayed by Quacking

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Speaking of goose legs: Have you ever wondered why geese are traditionally eaten on St. Martin's Day, November 11th? In Vienna, a "Ganslessen" (goose meal) is offered in restaurants for weeks around this time. But the poor animals have only themselves to blame. When Saint Martin—the man who, as a Roman officer, shared his cloak with a beggar—gained great prestige in the Christian community of Tours and was to become Bishop of Tours, he did not consider himself worthy and hid from the “vocation committee” in the goose pen. Whereupon the geese began to cackle loudly and gave away his hiding place. Martin became bishop, and from then on, the geese were eagerly devoured by the faithful (who really should have been grateful, since they had gained a great bishop thanks to them) on his birthday, November 11.