Mussels are only considered difficult to eat when served in the their shells. If you follow these simple guidelines, you may not find them to be a difficult food.
1. Holding the mussel shell with one hand, remove the mussel from the shell with a fork. A small seafood fork is preferred, but a regular fork will do.
2. Dip the mussel into melted butter or a sauce of your choice. It should be eaten in one bite.
3. The empty shell should be placed in a bowl provided solely for empty shells.
4. The remaining broth in the bowl may be eaten with a soup spoon if you choose to eat it.
On a side note, if the shell does not open easily or at all, do not eat it. The mussel was most likely dead before cooking and is considered to be spoiled.