Is it good manners to eat chicken with your fingers?

Generally, it's considered acceptable to eat chicken with your fingers in informal settings:

* Casual gatherings: A barbecue, picnic, or backyard party are all places where using your fingers is fine.

* Certain types of chicken: Fried chicken, rotisserie chicken, and chicken wings are often eaten with your fingers.

However, it's generally considered less polite to eat chicken with your fingers in more formal settings:

* Fine dining restaurants: Using a knife and fork is the expected norm.

* Business meals: Maintaining a professional demeanor is important, so using cutlery is the safest choice.

* Family dinners: If you're unsure, err on the side of using cutlery, especially if you're dining with older generations or people from different cultures.

A few tips to keep in mind:

* Cleanliness is key: Make sure your hands are clean before you touch the chicken.

* Use a napkin: Use your napkin to wipe your fingers as you eat.

* Watch your host: Pay attention to how your host eats the chicken. They'll usually set the tone for the dining experience.

Ultimately, the best approach is to consider the context of the meal and the people you're with. If in doubt, it's always better to play it safe and use cutlery.