Is it acceptable to pack a fork and spoon and use them ?

philip007

Hi folks,

Is it acceptable to pack a fork and spoon and use them when eating street food and in cafe's etc ?

I just cant get used to eating with the fingers on my right hand !!

My fingers are likely to be dirty and also I am left handed !!!

I wouldnt want to offend anyone but eating with a fork or spoon would be much better.

Any comments ?

Cheers.

Philip

jyotirmoy

Eating street food using a fork & knife is unusual but except curious glances nobody would mind.
These wouldn't be of much use for eating golgappas though !!!

Digital Drifter

NO, guns are OK though!

*just kidding.

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nycank

You can buy the plastic disposable ones in India. A metal fork might be considered a sharp object and can be used as a weapon; hence you would have to check your bagpack.

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capt_mahajan

A fork, yes. Provided it is not on the road.

A knife and fork, problematic with street food. I mean, unless you put your plate on the road.

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Aishah

You will have to pack the cutlery in your check-in luggage, not in any bag that is going into the cabin.

I don't think it will matter what you do as far as eating your food. I don't know of any restaurant that wouldn't have a spoon or a fork - I tend to use the fork with my left hand and eat the food via a roti bit with my right. For street food however, it is much easier to eat by hand.

And if you can't wash your hands nearby, I suggest you have a small bottle of hand sanitizer and use that prior to eating the food. Himalaya make a handy small bottle for only 39 rupees - which given the current Aus. dollar exchange rate being around 41 rupees for the dollar, is less than an Oz dollar. I have a bottle permanently in my going out to restaurants bag, and if it's difficult to do the hand washing with soap, just whip it out and use it. It's very effective.

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dzibead

Here's a knife and fork combo that you can use one-handed:
http://www.amazon.com/Knork-Combinat.../dp/B000YL4BT6

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Amalfi

All cafes, restaurants and Dhabas - big , small or roadside will have spoons along with your meals /Thalis/Snacks. A vast majority of them will also have forks on demand especially the ones selling chinese, which is almost every where now . Knife is comparatively rare . Also , what street food are you planning to eat. I don't think any street food in India is eaten with bare hands apart from Gol Gappa/Pani puri where you pop them into your mouth and no spoon/Fork/Knife in the world can help you there.

Be it Aloo Chaat , Aloo Tikki, Dahi vada , Dahi Bhalla , Samosa , Pav Bhaji , Idli , Dosa, Dhokla , Gulab Jamun - almost every street food in India is eaten with spoons- metal/plastic/wooden. Of course, things like Chole Bature/Chapatis/Puris have to be torn with your fingers and no spoon/Fork/knife can help you there either. Things like Rolls come with wrappers , so your naked fingers don't actually touch them.

If you are paranoid about the hygiene of the cutlery , stay away from street food as well.

philip007

jyotirmoy,
digital
nycank
capt mahajan
aishah
dzibead
amalfi

Guys many thanks for your usefull thoughts and comments. Much appreciated.

Philip

edwardseco

Loved that knork Dzi. But, I think a spork might be more useful especially with curries..

dzibead

I agree. Or even just a plain old spoon.

capt_mahajan

what about a spnork?

dzibead

Isn't that some type of alien from one of the Star Trek series?

capt_mahajan

Yeah. Boldly going into the women's room

Nick-H

Not always true. I've seen notices on Delhi restaurants saying that guns and ammunition are not allowed