What distinguishes continental eating style from American eating style?

The distinction between continental eating style and American eating style primarily lies in the use of utensils throughout the meal. In the continental style, diners typically use both the knife and fork throughout the meal without switching hands or utensils between bites. This method emphasizes maintaining control and using the knife for cutting and the fork for bringing food to the mouth, allowing for a fluid and elegant dining experience.

In contrast, the American eating style often involves switching the fork to the right hand after cutting food, which can lead to a different rhythm in the meal. Additionally, while the American style allows for using hands with certain dishes, it does not characterize the essence of the overall dining style as distinctly as the consistent use of knife and fork in the continental method.

The other options refer to aspects that are either incorrect interpretations of dining practices or do not represent key differentiating factors between the two styles, making them less relevant to understanding the fundamental distinction. The focus on knife and fork usage in the continental style clearly highlights its formal approach to dining.