In Kuwait, we call the spoon “qafsha,” a word of Persian origin, or “khashouqa,” a word of Turkish origin from which the name “Khashoggi,” meaning “spoon maker,” is derived. For several reasons, it is preferable to use a fork for eating rather than the hand or a spoon. A fork holds a small amount of food, allowing more time for chewing and enjoying conversation during a meal while avoiding having a mouthful of food. The use of eating utensils spread relatively early in Kuwait’s urban areas due to interaction with foreigners, perhaps beginning in the 1950s.
The spoon remains the most commonly used utensil in our country, either because people want to consume the largest quantity of food in the shortest time or because certain types of food, such as broth, are easier to eat with a spoon. There is no doubt that soup requires a spoon. When did humans first begin using cutlery? Using cutlery was initially considered “unmanly.”
The fork, now regarded as the most important utensil in the West, was once rare and even ridiculed. Eating with one’s hands was the traditional norm. Like any new practice, this transition did not happen all at once; rather, it evolved over centuries, influenced by changing eating habits and the introduction of new utensils. Gradually, etiquette for sitting at the table and eating was established. Although humans have used eating utensils for tens of thousands of years, these tools were originally crafted from materials such as shells, hollow wood, and animal horns. Spoons were among the oldest utensils.
Ancient Egyptians used spoons carved from wood, ivory, and gold. Knives had numerous uses beyond eating. In ancient and medieval societies, the knife served as both a practical tool and a weapon and was used for cutting food. Guests often brought their own knives to the table, especially in medieval Europe. Even after the introduction of cutlery, most food continued to be eaten directly with the hands, a practice that remains common in many parts of the world today.
Of all cutlery, the fork was perhaps the most difficult for people to accept. As is often the case, its use spread first among the elite. The Church and other religious authorities opposed its use, considering eating with one’s hands almost a sacred practice.
However, centuries later, the fork acquired an aura of prestige during the Renaissance. The Italian Catherine de Medici played a role in introducing the fork to France after her marriage to King Henry II in 1533. In the early 17th century, the English traveler Thomas Coryat returned from Italy and enthusiastically described the variety of forks he had seen. His family, however, considered them extravagant, strange, and even feminine.
This reputation persisted for a surprisingly long time. British sailors, until 1900, refused to use forks for the same reason. However, as etiquette became more complex in royal courts, forks became increasingly practical, and eating with one’s hands at formal meals became more widely frowned upon. Victorian culture took dining etiquette to extremes, with some upper-class households boasting sets containing up to 100 pieces of cutlery. Meanwhile, the use of chopsticks has been widespread in Southeast Asia for thousands of years, originally serving as cooking tools. This article is partially quoted from the “History” website.
It is healthier and more economical to leave the air conditioner running at home or in the office 24/7. Do not worry; this is the best way. When you turn off the air conditioner, it uses more energy to cool the space back down to the desired temperature after the temperature has risen. A temperature of 25 degrees Celsius is probably the most suitable setting for most people.
By Ahmad alsarraf
email: [email protected]
email: [email protected]
