Turns out, we may all be committing a major breakfast faux pas.
Etiquette expert William Hanson has revealed the “proper” way to eat cereal – and it surprisingly involves using not one utensil, but two.
In a now-viral Instagram video filmed at a hotel breakfast buffet, Hanson — who has more than 4 million followers — demonstrates his unusually formal technique.
“Here’s how to eat breakfast cereal,” the British etiquette coach begins.
“First of all, add your milk of choice and then, with a spoon held in your dominant hand and the fork in your non-dominant hand, you will eat.”
He then lowers his spoon into his cornflakes, using a fork to neatly push the cereal onto the spoon — a move that prevents splashing or stray flakes from escaping.
The clip has racked up 3.8 million views, leaving viewers divided — and confused — about whether Hanson is being serious.
“I can’t tell if this is rage bait or not,” one person commented.
“Who the hell uses a fork for cereal?” another said.
Others were convinced the whole thing was a joke, with one writing, “I think he’s messing with us.”
But etiquette expert Jo Hayes says Hanson isn’t entirely off the mark — though you don’t need to panic about your breakfast manners.
“I love this man … and, as a general rule, align with his approach to modern etiquette standards,” she told news.com.au.
“But this isn’t a typical approach to eating cereal.”
Hayes said that in years of hotel breakfasts and formal business events, she’s “literally never seen” anyone eat cereal with a fork.
That said, Hayes admits there’s some logic to Hanson’s method.
“It does make the eating of cereal more delicate, polite and orderly,” the founder of EtiquetteExpert.Org explained.
“Most cereal bowls are small with higher sides, so the bowl itself essentially does the job of the fork.
“However, his bowl was more of a formal soup bowl with low sides, so in that case, the fork makes sense — it’s a tool to help keep things neat.”
Hayes added that diners should never use their fingers to push cereal onto a spoon or lean down to the bowl to prevent flakes from falling off.
“Adding a fork definitely makes the eating of cereal more pleasant and polite,” she said.
“But I would also assure everyone that you can still eat cereal in a civilised manner with just a spoon.”
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