knives and forks

Morocco is a popular travel destination for many tourists both American and European for its’ mix of exotic culture and sophistication. Unlike black Africans, Moroccans are not seen as backwards or savage. Yet, my Moroccan boyfriend who comes from a middle class family had never used a knife and fork to eat before coming to Senegal. Eating with knives and forks is a sign of social competence. It signals a certain sophistication especially when done in a certain European fashion. Mastery of cutlery is noticed at social functions and is seen my many parents as a skill they must impart on their children. My Moroccan’s awareness of cutlery was used a large knife to open cans or butcher meat. Spoons are used to cook with but not to eat with. Bread becomes both the spoon and fork while the thumb is a knife. He told me about his first day of work in Senegal and how he was given a plate of food accompanied by a knife and fork. He sat their baffled looking at his Senegalese counterparts adeptly cutting the meat and placing it in their mouths. He watched and attempted to imitate getting food all over his lap. The next day he told me about how he shut himself up in his office. He ate lunch by himself trying to get the hang of silverware. While home in Morocco for a visit after having mastered the tools he took his mother out to lunch and asked to be given a knife and fork. She asked him “What are you going to do with those things.” When she watched him eat with them she said, “ What’s wrong with bread and your hands?” Now two years later he is the knife and fork professional and has begun to teach me how to eat with my right hand. Believe me it is a lot harder than it looks.