This statement is mostly true. While utensils have been used in various cultures and times throughout history, it was during the Middle Ages in Europe when the use of utensils at the dining table became more widespread. Prior to this period, people mostly ate with their hands or with a communal knife that was shared among diners. The use of utensils such as forks, spoons, and knives allowed for more individualized eating and helped to reduce the spread of diseases that could be passed through direct contact.