a) the splayds are virtually always metal.
b) I don't think they're given with fastfoods, but I rarely buy any!
c)Ok,ok, you wouldn't use them for soup!
They're excellent for stirfries, etc, and any meal when you want to sit somewhere other than the dining table. Just thought....I use ours at the dining table too, when eating stirfry or sloppy stuff....saves on washing up!