That's a question for you. If you want to see how Grok answered my question go here.
My follow-up question was: What perception distortions might be involved in my observation? Grok identified 10 possible forms of perception distortion, beginning with confirmation bias, here.
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50 comments:
While these reasons could explain the trend, it's important to consider...
The "It's important to consider" crutch.
I’m glad the domestication of Meade is proceeding nicely.
Grok is much less interested than I am about whether it actually is a trend. (It could have searched social media for discussions about it, which would surely exist if it were a thing.) It could be a sign of broader interest in class and style, which would be nice. Especially if it leads to hats coming back.
Perhaps you've simply been dining in better establishments lately.
Not my experience. I now see many university educated men holding the fork in a left-hand closed fist, even to deliver to the mouth. Yes, I know that is an American affectation.
On a side note, it's always interesting seeing our European visitors try to eat barbeque ribs and corn on the cob with a delicate fork and knife.
Oh please, please Ann, go at least two days with no use or mention of AI.
"Grok is much less interested than I am about whether it actually is a trend."
Grok is dedicated to answering the question as I framed it. If it has anything that could be considered an "interest," it doesn't (or shouldn't) go off on a lark. I built an assumption into my question, and it respected my choice (and it's not that I wasn't interested in whether it was a trend, as I was explicit about wanting an assumption first and I subsequently asked a question about my perception of the trend.
This reminds me of a perennial problem with law school exams: I'm framing a question and you can only get credit for answering the question asked. That was my advice to every law school class and I knew it was hard for students to believe but a good test of whether they'd really studied the material and were using skill.
"Oh please, please Ann, go at least two days with no use or mention of AI."
Perhaps if you said more interesting things I would not need to resort to machines.
Looks like Grok's been programmed not to mention decreasing testosterone levels.
I'll believe it's a real thing when stores like "Untuckit" go out of business, men start dressing with class again, going to work in dress slacks & sport shirts, or maybe even a sport jacket or suit again (remember those?). As for how they handle themselves tableside, I'm not seeing it.
Also- I learned how to handle a fork and knife from my old Zayde (grandfather) who came from a small poor village outside of Kyiv. He always handled the knife with his right hand to help cut and steer food onto his fork.
That's how I eat. And I didn't need to travel to Ukraine to pick it up
The world was my oyster, but I used the wrong fork. - Oscar Wilde
Well...I think Ann is making a point and has laid down the gauntlet to us all. I can't speak for the rest of you, but I'm sure I've been stale in my comments for about a year now. Sometimes it's good to get away for a bit. Maybe it's time to let Grok supply my comments. FWIW, my wife does this now with ChatGPT when sending cards or notes to friends. They think she's genius with little 'made up' poems.
I could start using Grok to supply my comments. I'll give it a go in the coming days.
We'll see if it sounds like the real Temujin or some computer-like cheap imitation of the real thing.
Perhaps the supposed "increase in table manners" is really due to a decrease in contact with general public.
"Perhaps if you said more interesting things I would not need to resort to machines."
Ha. thanks for the AM laugh.
Grok didn't mention another possibility; American men are getting more effeminate, and instead of using the good ol' American cut switch and put down technique, are trying to impress MSM reporters and women by going European. NO doubt they also wear speedos and wax their chests.
I would like to see a graph of these 'increasing' table manners?
Meade now eats his Snicker's Bar with a knife and fork.
During Festivus Dinner yesterday I worked hard at using the steak knife with my left hand and the fork in my right rather than my normal reverse.
My dining companions have to be far gone in either direction for me to notice their table manners. Mostly when I eat out, I do so at a BBQ place, and my attention is focused laser like on the brisket. In any event, I don't think anything meaningful can be extrapolated from such personal observations. I can see how clothing styles and musical tastes have changed over the years, but ever since I was a kid people have been using knives, forks, and napkins. We use such utensils on different foods nowadays, but there have been no great advances in their design or handling. When you stop to think about it, knives, forks, and napkins have been the one constant in our changing lives.
I've never in my adult life (young boys are of course animals) noticed this supposed disparity in table manners between men and women. Perhaps I have just always run with an exceptionally sophisticated crowd but, geez, they've always seemed like normal plain folks to me.
He's a totally effeminate Englishman, but I delight in The English Manner guy.
Physicist Richard Feynman said, "The first principle is that you must not fool yourself—and you are the easiest person to fool."
Elegant table manners would be welcome, but look for some objective evidence to support your observation. You could be going to better restaurants, going at a different time of day or it could be something about the time of year.
It would be comforting to think that people are getting re-civilized after our Covid isolation or that with adults going back to the White House, people are starting to dummy-up or men are growing weary of Tinder and online relationships or any number of hopeful reasons. If men are getting more refined, there should be an identifiable reason.
He was more into snails, anyway.
Don't forget the versatile fpoon.
I went to a Baptist wedding once, after which the guests could enjoy juice and candy bars finely sliced.
My Oma and my Europhile aunt Louise taught me the continental way at an early age, but I'm not consistent.
Wake me up when men starting rising from their chairs when women approach them, again.
does he still scrape roadkill with beloved granny shovel?
A fascinating exercse. As with all tools, getting good results with AI will require a practiced, careful, thoughtful touch, even as AI becomes more capable. The Professor is developing and displaying that touch here. I think these posts are very thought provoking and instructive.
When ladies approach them . . .
are they now making properly balanced utensils?
Oprah effect? Oprah faces backlash in India over dinner remarks
I wouldn't discount this. The older, and more affluent, I get, the more it becomes about the ambience. That doesn't necessarily mean pricier. It just means knowing which places are troughs and avoiding them.
Better than Grok is a high standard.
"Perhaps if you said more interesting things I would not need to resort to machines."
I’ll use that in the New Yorker caption contest of the wife sitting next to her husband.
The hostess of this blog eponymous
Has challenged her posters anonymous
Best wit and elegance
Of Grok's ersatz intelligence
Or find her a wee bit less fond of us.
If I had to bet money, I would say that this comment was written by AI.
"European table manners involve a more continuous use of fork and knife, which might be perceived as more elegant or sophisticated. This style is often contrasted with the American "cut-and-switch" method where one cuts food with the fork in the left hand and knife in the right, then switches the fork to the right hand to eat."
To be American about it, holding the deadlier instrument in your less dominant hand is frankly stupid and disrespectful, elegance be damned.
"He's a totally effeminate Englishman, but I delight in The English Manner guy."
Yes, I know that guy. Maybe he's the source of the trend.
Anyone remember Mr. Manners?
Real men don’t use knives and forks.
Lady and the Gentleman.
Narr, we called it spork.
That's not as fun to say.
Hmm... I wondered if perhaps being locked during COVID let them experience more of the small irritating things people they live with do, which in turn led to self-reflection and a desire to not themselves irritate others which might lead an increased effort in table manners. But that seems like too much lag from the end of the lockdowns to now, if this is indeed a new trend. Another idea, might be that people are eating out less frequently given inflation so now eating out feels more like a special occasion and thus more deserving of proper manners.
Mars Bars can be eaten with the fingers, that old Seinfeld epiosode notwithstanding. On the other hand, Cheetos should be eaten with chopsticks, keeps the orange crap off my fingers.
just joking
If you are a gentleman, EVERY woman is presumed to be a lady.
That's what I know.
That's good.
Perhaps if the men said more interesting things you would not be dwelling on their table manners.
Perhaps if the men said more interesting things you would not be dwelling on their table manners.
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