whats the proper way to leave ur knife and fork at the end of a meal?

Answer 1

Although this may seem unimportant to many, table manners are an important element of common courtesy. Knowing how to signal the server that you have completed your meal demonstrates to others that you're well versed in the ways of public dining. Calling the waiter over to clear your plate by asking him/her to take it away tells others that you don't understand the basics of table manners. Also, for those who travel often in Europe this technique overcomes the language barrier that most English monoglots suffer from (e.g., speaking English only).

With that out of the way, let's look at some different viewpoints from 1960, 2000 and 2002. Then we'll look at a 2006 comparitive view of different styles. Plus, we'll all see what a "mutt" I am in my personal mix of dining styles.

From "a series of articles on Christian manners for men taken from a book entitled, “The Christian Gentleman”, by G.C. Davy. (1960)" (see http://www.sspxafrica.com/documents/2004_June/Men_dear_men.htm)

The knife and fork should not be placed side by side, as this would indicate to the waiter or attendant that you had finished the course. To indicate that you have finished you place the knife and fork side by side across the plate with the prongs of the fork upward.

The Saturday Evening Post Book Review: Etiquette for Dummies by Sue Fox (see http://www.etiquettesurvival.com/A11.htm) notes:

"Where do you place your knife and fork when they are not in use and you haven't finished your meal? The answer is the "rest position," with fork at a ten o'clock position through the center of the plate and the knife lying parallel to it but several inches to the northeast. Don't put them too close together in the middle of the plate (the "all done" position), or else an overeager server may whisk them away prematurely"

From Pepperdine University, in the US, the site (see http://graphic.pepperdine.edu/living/2002/2002-11-07-etiquette.htm) notes:

"When the main course is finished, the knife and fork are placed beside each other at the four o’clock position on the plate. The dessert spoon and fork are placed in the same position. "

The Pepperdine site and the Sue Fox book are both very much in support of the American style as denoted here:

http://www.table-etiquette.com/Ezines/Issue1.3.htm

Here, on this site, the article notes the differences of how to signal you have completed your meal. The American style is noted as above by Pepperdine and Sue Fox. The European style is juxtaposed and the authors reinforce the notion that an INCORRECT variation of the European style is to place the fork as indicated but with the tines facing down. This was also noted by "The Christian Gentleman" reference, above, but was not noted as a different style.

Although I was taught to eat in the continental (European) style, with the fork in the left hand and tines down, the style I learned to indicate that I was "done" was more American in that I was taught to:

1. Leave the plate where it is in the place setting.
2. Place the USED knife and fork side by side, with the sharp side of the knife blade facing inward and the fork, tines down, to the left of the knife.
3. I was taught that the placing of the knife and fork should be as if they are pointing to the numbers 10 and 4 on a clock face and in such a way that they cannot slide off the plate as it is being removed by the server.
4. Leave a used spoon in a it on the saucer and not in the cup, but leave the soupspoon in the soup plate.
5. Any other unused silverware is simply to be left upon the table

In understanding the correct answer to this question, it depends upon whether one is supporting the American style or the European style. I, it seems, have mixed styles. However, I have always found my plate whisked away as soon as I used my American style indicator.

It would be appear that the clear source is on table-etiquette.com wherein the following correct indicators are noted and illustrated based upon style as follows:

AMERICAN STYLE:

Place your knife and fork along the ten to five / eleven to four axis on your plate – tines down
Ensure the knife and fork are parallel and the blade of the knife is ALWAYS facing inward
A (correct) variation of the American style has the knife and fork placed across the top (ten to two axis) of the plate – but this is not as common however

EUROPEAN STYLE:

Place your knife and fork along the six to twelve axis on your plate – tines up
Ensure the knife and fork are parallel and the blade of the knife is ALWAYS facing inward
A (incorrect) variation of the European style is to place the fork as above, but with the tines facing down – but this is actually incorrect

Fascinating? Not really. But, now I know my own mistaken behaviour and the correct method if I'm in America or the rest of the fork and knife eating world (remember, a large portion of the world still eats with hands and fingers only!).

Answer 2

Placed Together And Pointing Away From You On The Dinner Plate Is Correct. Please Don't Leave Them Crossed On The Plate As This Indicates You Want To Fight. As For Points Of The Fork Face Down On The Plate, Never On Best China And So As To remember That Probably Best Not At All. Happy Eating.

Answer 3

Plate Knife And Fork

Answer 4

The proper way is to put your fork and knife together with the prongs and knife tip pointing at the 10 o'clock and the handles at the 4 o'clock positions.

If you are not finished, you should cross your knife and fork with your fork pointing at 10 o'clock and your knife pointing at 2 o'clock.

Answer 5

You start the meal by seating your partner first! Then when you've selected the wine (Red for meat, and white for fish!) your food arrives, you begin by using the utensils outside to in. On finishing the meal, you align the knife and fork on your plate with knife on the left and the fork laying alongside it on the right.With the handles facing you. Have a good meal!

Answer 6

I always understood that the correct way was to put your knife & fork together at 12 o'clock in your plate. With the prongs of the fork & the knife pointing to 12.

This is meant to let your serving staff know that you have finished.

I don't however, I put them together & point the prongs at 10 ... I've done it that way eversince I was a child, part of not wanting to appear a snob. Lol

Answer 7

Side by side on the plate somewhere between 4 and 5 o'clock, (position on the plate, not the time of day) with the knife blade pointing away from you but not towards the person opposite.

Answer 8

Side by side, knife on left, blade edge facing fork, fork tines UPwards. Some people do like to make a simple thing complicated.

Answer 9

On the plate placed side by side. This was the maid or waitress knows you have finished. If you leave them on the plate at an angle from each other she will assume you are still eating and if your plate is empty you would like some more

Answer 10

On the plate. Fork on left.