You are probably eating your burger incorrectly, according to an etiquette coach.
A viral Instagram video is stirring debate over the “proper” way to eat a burger. Etiquette coach William Hanson, known for his crisp manners and no-nonsense advice, says most people are doing it wrong.
In the clip, Hanson sits in a restaurant with a burger stacked with patty, tomato, lettuce, and other condiments. Instead of picking it up with his hands, he offers a different approach. “No one can fit anything into their mouth that is that big unless they are in the circus,” he says to the camera. He then removes the top bun and any excess toppings, places them aside, and cuts into the burger with a knife and fork. He suggests this is the right way to eat a burger ‘piece by piece’.
The video has been viewed hundreds of thousands of times, and viewers have not been shy about their opinions. “That’s the saddest thing I’ve ever seen. Imagine being this guy living life like that,” one user wrote. Another added, “If one is too refined to enjoy a burger as it should be, then one should order something else.”
Others argued that Hanson’s approach ruins the very point of the dish. “Isn’t the whole point of a burger to enjoy all the flavors at the same time?” one person commented. Another said bluntly, “I skipped when he said disassemble.”
Several commenters stressed that a burger is made to be eaten whole. “The combination of all the flavors together is why it is assembled that way. By deconstructing it, you’re basically tasting the flavors individually, which destroys the purpose of the dish. If a burger is too big to eat in a formal setting, might as well order something else.”
Others suggested Hanson was making things unnecessarily complicated. “Please assemble the burger back. Wrap it and eat it. Make your life easy, not complicated,” a reply read. Another joked: “I demand an audience with the principal of your culinary school!”
Professional chefs usually stress the opposite of what Hanson demonstrated. In culinary classes, students are taught knife skills and presentation, but also learn that a dish should be eaten in the way it is supposed to be eaten. A burger is stacked so the bun, meat, and toppings can be tasted together. Pulling it apart may keep your hands and mouth clean, but many chefs would argue that it spoils the experience of eating the burger, as it was intended to be enjoyed.
Food etiquette going viral is not new. Online audiences have debated whether pizza should be eaten with hands or a fork, whether sandwiches taste better when cut diagonally, and whether flipping a burger upside down reduces dripping. Each trend sparks different responses, with some agreeing with the trend and others debating against it. However, there are trends, such as eating a burger with a knife and fork, that many people consider excessive and detract from the experience of eating it.
How to eat a burger elegantly without making a mess
You don’t necessarily need a knife and fork to enjoy your burger with some dignity. Etiquette writers and food experts have offered a few smart, hands-on techniques that aim to reduce mess while preserving the joy of biting into a burger.
One method is a half-wrap. Fold the lower part of the bun upward slightly, creating a small “lip” that can catch drips and help keep toppings in place. It gives your fingers something to grip and helps prevent the patty or sauce from slipping out.
Another trick comes from burger fans who suggest flipping the burger upside down before biting into it. Because the top bun tends to be thicker and sturdier, it can better support the weight of sauces, cheese, or other slipping layers. When reversed, the heavier fillings sit over the more durable bun, which can reduce spills.
Hanson’s reel might not end the debate, but it shows how much people care about the way they eat and how ready they are to defend their habits. Some people cut carefully, while others take big bites, but the burger remains the same and continues to be one of the most beloved foods in the world, eaten in the most ‘messiest’ way, just as people enjoy it.
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