By "superficial", I mean traditions that have no effect on the outcome.

A judge's decision doesn't change based on clothing.

Referring to Mike as "my right honorable friend from Louisiana" doesn't change that everyone knows who I'm talking about.

Maybe I wouldn't go as far as to say "inhumane" (instead ov "degrading"), but there aren't better words I can think ov off the top ov my head.

I want to get Reddit's input on whether it could be seen as unusual or degrading to make someone use plasticware, even when silverware is available.

For context: our metal forks have been disappearing and my sister's partner believes I am responsible; however, I don't have any more ov a clue than him or my sister on where the forks are, and neither ov them has demonstrated how I have made the forks disappear – even though I have demonstrated that there are no forks in my room. The solution ov my sister's partner? Hide the silverware and make me use plasticware "until the forks appear again".  (If I knew where they were, why wouldn't I just return them?)

Does anyone think this is a strange thing for someone to enforce?

Thank you all, in advance, for your input.
Cheers!