Cutlery: questions and Band 8 answers

Most days, I just stick to a standard stainless steel fork and knife, or a spoon if I'm having something like soup or cereal. I do keep a pair of reusable wooden chopsticks in my kitchen drawer as well, which I tend to grab whenever I'm eating noodles.

I grew up using a knife and fork, which my parents taught me to hold properly at the dinner table. However, when I was around ten or eleven, a close friend showed me how to hold chopsticks, and it took a fair bit of trial and error before I got the hang of it.

It really depends on the cuisine, to be honest. If I'm eating pizza, flatbreads, or finger food, it feels much more natural to just dig in with my hands. But for everyday cooked meals, especially pasta or rice, I definitely feel more comfortable using proper utensils.

Yes, actually, I bought a really nice engraved silver-plated set for my sister when she moved into her first flat a couple of years ago. I thought it would be a practical yet memorable housewarming present that would last for ages.

I suppose so, mainly because of takeaway culture. A lot of food delivery places now provide disposable wooden or bamboo cutlery instead of plastic ones to be more eco-friendly. Also, people seem far more adventurous with international dishes, so using chopsticks has become much more commonplace than it used to be.