Etiquette. Where to Place Your Cutlery When You're Done Eating

You're out to dinner, you've finished your meal, now what?  According to etiquette, where do you put your cutlery when you're done eating?  You have two proper options and here they are.

Picture it.  You're out for dinner and you've finished with your meal.  At home, you'd simply stand up and wander away from the table knowing your plate will magically disappear, get cleaned and be returned to the cupboard at some point in the evening.

That's how it worked for my father anyway.

But in restaurants, servers rely on non-verbal cues to know when they can clear your plate. Your utensils act as a secret code that lets them know you're finished. A sign language of sorts.

If the waiter doesn't happen to see  you licking your plate (which is the International sign of I'm just about done,) how are they supposed to know if you're finished eating?

They know by where you've placed your cutlery.

Where to Place Your Cutlery When Finished Eating

You have two correct options:

№1 Parallel Placement – Place your knife and fork vertically in the centre of the plate, handles resting on the rim.

 OR

№2. Clock Position – Place your knife and fork at a 10 o’clock to 4 o’clock angle on the plate.

In both cases:

• The tines of the fork should be facing up.
• The knife edge should point inward.
• Your napkin should be casually folded to the left of your plate.

Great. You've made it this far. You now know what to do with your cutlery so you don't look like a buffoon in front of your 19 year old server at The Olive Garden.

What Not to Do:

🚫 Do NOT rest your cutlery on the table.
🚫 Do NOT cross your cutlery into an X.
🚫 Do NOT place your napkin on your plate.
🚫 Do NOT refold your napkin perfectly.
🚫 Do NOT place your napkin on your chair.
🚫 Do NOT fold your napkin into the shape of a swan or a dead chicken and then wear it as a hat.

You are now fully prepared to attend a Royal Wedding.  Bon appétit! 🎩🍽️