Americans eat almost everything with a fork, and it appears that holding a knife in one’s right hand longer than a few seconds is considered to be against good table manners. The system is that if it is necessary to use a knife, people take the fork in their left hand, and cut off a piece of meat or whatever it is in the plate. Then they put the knife down, transfer( 转移 ) the fork to their right hand, and only then do they transport the food to their mouth. This is clearly funny, but it is considered good manners . Tables are generally laid with one knife and two forks, the outside fork being for the salad. There is no need for foreign visitors to follow the American system and try to eat the salad with only a fork, but if you do use your knife, remember to save it for the meat course. Even desserts( 甜食 )(except ice cream)are eaten with a fork if at all possible, and the spoon you see by your dessert is meant to be for coffee (but if you use it for your dessert no one will say anything)