American eating is funny: they 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 absolutely 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 normal manner. Then they put the knife down, transfer the fork to their right hand, and only then do they transport the food to their mouth. This is clearly ludicrous, but it is considered good manners.There are several results of this system. First, if it is not absolutely necessary to use a knife, Americans don't use one, because obviously this greatly complicates things, and you will therefore see them trying to cut things like potatoes, fish and even bacon with a fork. Second, towards the end of a course, since only one implement is being used, food has to be chased around the plate with the fork—and for the last mouthful the thumb has to be used to keep the food in place, although one is not supposed to do this. Third, 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 (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).According to the author, the good table manners are .A. holding the knife in one's right hand as long as one likes.B. taking the fork in the right hand all the time.C. transferring the fork to the right hand and outing the food to the mouth.D. cutting off a piece of meat with a knife in one's left hand.