A Maharashtra-based etiquette coach has landed in hot water after a video of him demonstrating how to eat a samosa using a knife and fork went viral, drawing widespread criticism from social media users.
In the clip, the coach is seen giving a step-by-step demonstration of what he calls a “formal dining method” for enjoying the popular Indian snack. He instructs students to anchor the samosa with a fork, slice it carefully—not from the middle—to keep it intact, and take small, precise bites dipped in chutney.
The video, intended as a lesson in table manners, instead triggered an online backlash, with many users calling it an unnecessary attempt to “Westernize” Indian eating traditions. “My onsite manager from the UK visited India. He didn’t care about using a fork or knife for samosas—he just ate with his hands. P.S.—he’s British!” one user commented. Another quipped, “Wrong, he forgot to first wash the samosa in a washing machine—that’s the first step!”
Samosas, beloved for their crispy crust and spicy filling, are traditionally eaten with hands, and the video’s “formal” approach has been widely slammed as taking etiquette lessons a step too far.