An etiquette specialist has sparked debate online after sharing a video explaining the “proper” way to eat cereal.
William Hanson is known for posting etiquette and manners content on TikTok.
His videos cover everything from everyday considerations—like taking your headphones off before speaking to someone—to more playful observations, such as what British people say compared with what they really mean.
He also regularly gives his 3.2 million followers guidance on how to approach different foods when dining out.
And to be fair, certain dishes can be awkward in public—shell-on prawns, for instance, are rarely the smoothest option, and even less so on a first date (especially if they’re garlic prawns).
But one of his latest food-focused clips has prompted viewers to argue that this time he’s overcomplicated things.
Seated at an elegant table with an equally extravagant bowl, Hanson set out his preferred method for eating a breakfast classic: a bowl of cereal.
Most people would assume they’ve already got this down—add milk, pick up a spoon, and you’re done. Hanson, however, suggested bringing in an extra utensil that many didn’t see coming.
That utensil is a fork.
He said: “With a spoon held in your dominant hand and a fork in your non-dominant hand, you now eat.
“Now, it’s not soup, so you don’t need to scoop away from you like you would with soup.”
So what’s the fork for?
According to Hanson, it’s there to help corral the cereal onto the spoon.
“But you can use the fork to push some cornflakes onto your spoon and eat accordingly,” Hanson advised.
Unsurprisingly, the comments section had plenty to say about the technique.
“I’m sorry but isn’t the fork a little unnecessary,” one wrote. “That’s like if I were to try to use a rake to shovel the snow onto the shovel.”
Another viewer was less diplomatic, adding: “William, I can’t defend you any longer.”
Someone else highlighted a separate issue altogether: the possibility that the bowl choice was the real etiquette crime—suggesting it resembled one intended for pasta.
“Teaching cereal etiquette while eating it from a pasta bowl feels delightfully rebellious,” they wrote.
Metro spoke to another etiquette expert, Jo Hayes, who was complimentary about Hanson overall, while acknowledging this particular tip may be a stretch.
“God bless William Hanson,” she said. “I love this man and, as a general rule, align with his approach to modern etiquette standards. However, on whether this is typical, the answer is, no.
“I have literally never seen anyone eat cereal with a spoon and fork and I have attended many a hotel breakfast dining room, and many a formal corporate and business breakfasts.”