I need a fork for the noodle meal my friend is hosting. Is it rude to ask before everyone starts?

Food

My friend set chopsticks at each place for her noodle dinner. I'd tried practising beforehand, but at the table I kept dropping the noodles. She laughed and said, "No cheating tonight."

I smiled, then ate very slowly and left most of my bowl. She later asked whether I hadn't liked it. I had liked the flavours. I just wanted to eat without turning every mouthful into a demonstration.

She's hosting another meal next weekend. I'd be happy to practise with chopsticks for a little while if that's genuinely optional, but I need a fork available to finish dinner. How would you ask? I don't want to imply the food should change to suit me, or spend another evening reassuring everyone that the problem isn't the cooking.

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1 community replies

@MorganSays

Ask before the next meal: 'I enjoyed the noodles, but I struggled to eat them with chopsticks. Could I have a fork available this time?' That answers the question she raised about your unfinished bowl and tells her exactly what would help.

I need a fork for the noodle meal my friend is hosting. Is it rude to ask before everyone starts?

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