We've been eating cereal wrong, says an etiquette coach. The 'correct' way uses a fork
He poured milk over his cereal and then picked up a fork, leaving people online shocked
William Hanson, an author, podcast host, and British etiquette coach, has posted several videos on Instagram (@williamhanson) teaching people table manners. But this time, he went a little too far with his preaching. Hanson shared a video online, demonstrating the apparent 'correct' way of eating cereal, and it's definitely not what anybody expected. His video of relishing a delicious bowl of breakfast cereal with both a spoon and a fork has gone viral with over 4 million views on his page.
Milk first, cereal second
Hanson used a wide-rimmed soup plate instead of a regular cereal bowl. Then, unlike most, he poured milk over his cereal and not the other way around. "Here's how to eat breakfast cereal," Hanson said before grabbing both a spoon and a fork to eat.
Use your fork
He insisted that people hold the spoon in their dominant hand and use the other to grab the fork. "It's not soup, so you don't need to scoop away from you... you can use the fork to push the corn flakes onto your spoon and eat accordingly," Hanson instructed while demonstrating.
As his content continues to gain traction on Instagram, the etiquette coach told PEOPLE that he can never predict which of his tips would fascinate the audience more. "I can never tell when filming what will capture people's attention and what may go a little undetected. I'm glad that I’ve been helping improve people's breakfasts this month," he confessed.
Etiquette is respect
Hanson always believes etiquette is the key to building a good relationship. “Etiquette is respect. The best way to persuade someone into a way of thinking is by living the brand and being the brand,” he told Persuasive Discourse, in an interview. He recalls how his fascination with etiquette began. "When I was around 16 or 17, my school asked if I could help teach younger students how to set a table. I thought it sounded fun, so I started to teach etiquette each Tuesday, and discovered I enjoyed it. Then some local groups near my school heard about this and began inviting me to speak on the topic, and it slowly grew from there," he recalled.
While Hanson has been on a mission to teach more and more people table etiquette, let's see how many, especially Americans, actually follow such manners. Take, for example, the most basic rule while eating: chewing with the mouth closed. A YouGov survey found that 89% always or usually comply with this rule. In fact, 81% claimed they usually avoid talking to people with food in their mouths, thus adhering to yet another piece of table etiquette.
Moreover, the same study found that 69% of respondents wait to eat until everyone at the table has their food. It was also revealed that 69% of respondents arrange their dishes after they are done eating, so the waiters can clear the table.
'Using a fork is so wrong'
Hanson's video received a mixed reaction online. While a few netizens looked amazed by his unique approach to eating cereals, others dismissed it. For example, @roxanalinemusic commented, "I would definitely eat my cereal with a fork just to add a splash of class to my meal." However, @manueljpereira said, "There is no wrong way to eat cereal. Well, except for this way. This way is definitely wrong." Similarly, @disha542 wrote, "Using a fork to eat cereal is just so, so, so wrong; I can't even watch it."
@spageezy shared, "William, I have used your information and lessons on etiquette to better myself as a more gentlemanly person, and I thank you for that. However, I regret to inform you that you are out of your mind if you think I'm going to use a fork for breakfast cereal."
You can follow William Hanson (@williamhanson) on Instagram for more table etiquette-related content.
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This article originally appeared 2 months ago.
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