A British etiquette expert has ignited a heated debate on social media by suggesting that sausage rolls, a beloved pastry staple, should be consumed with a knife and fork. William Hanson, known for sharing his etiquette expertise online, presented his controversial view in a video featuring influencer Joe Tasker.
Hanson, in the video which garnered over 418,000 likes, interrupted Tasker as he was about to enjoy a sausage roll, declaring, “We don’t pick up the sausage roll with our hands.” He then proceeded to demonstrate his recommended method, involving a napkin, cutlery, and meticulous precision. Hanson advocated for using a knife and fork, explaining that the fork should be held in the non-dominant hand and the knife in the dominant, and that the pastry should be gently pried apart from the edge, not the middle.
Tasker, however, struggled to adhere to Hanson’s instructions, ultimately abandoning the knife and fork to enjoy the sausage roll in the traditional way – with his hands. This humorous exchange sparked a flurry of reactions on TikTok, with users expressing their amusement, disbelief, and fervent defense of the time-honored practice of eating sausage rolls with their hands.
One user commented, “I would be done before this guy even starts,” while another added, “Just let bro eat that.” A third chimed in, “This is awesome.” However, many others echoed the sentiment of one user who wrote, “Sorry but there’s only one way to eat a sausage roll, and that’s half in bag half out and bite while walking thro town, while stood at bus stop or in car is also acceptable.”
The controversy surrounding Hanson’s etiquette advice highlights the cultural significance of sausage rolls in Britain and the deeply ingrained tradition of enjoying them with one’s hands. The debate, however, has served as a reminder that etiquette is subjective and often subject to personal preference and cultural norms.
