Dining with the Wagners

The suavest American actor in Mr. Bowen's mind in the 1960s, 1970s and beyond is Robert Wagner.     Although in recent days, his reverse mortgage commercials have diminished his stock in the mind of Mr. Bowen.  He is the American personality whose image Mr. Bowen most closely aligns with the word "Continental".  Perhaps you thought I was going to say it was Christopher Walken. That would be understandable given a certain series of skits on Saturday Night Live. 

Mr. Bowen first became exposed to the Continental style of eating while living abroad.  At that time, he did not immediately adopt this style of eating, but it did leave an impression upon him.

Simply stated, the Continental style of eating demands that the knife is held in the right hand and the fork in the left at all times during the meal with the knife being used as a pusher.  Fork tines are facing down at all times.  A small bit of meat is speared with the fork and food is piled on top of it (in small amounts) by pushing it on with the knife.  It is then transported to the mouth.  This style of eating is now Mr. Bowen's adopted preferred style of eating.

If you are not familiar with this eating style, you may want to practise at home first before that couples night out with the Wagners.  If you gain efficiency with this style of eating, you will look like Rico Suave.  Just don't hold your utensils like a pen.