While thee have been questions on using the knife/fork/sppon correctly, in Britain it is considered good manners (in all social classes) to put the knife and fork together at "twelve of clock" on the plate when finished (in a restaurant it also indicates to others that the plate can be taken) While working in the US I noticed this didn't occur and the implements were left sloppily on the plates. Is this the correct way or was I just with a bunch of slobs?
2007-12-23 10:46:41 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Firstly let me say if it is not the practice these people had not good reason to adhere to it and even so the term "Slobs" is meant tongue in cheek
The custom's absence is not bad, just curious to me
Some questioners haves questioned the logic:
(quote)The "indicates to others that the plate can be taken" part appears as though it is attempting to begin to offer a logical justification for an intentional ... arrangement, but, generally, the mere presence of utensils laying completely on top of a plate is a sufficient indication that both the plate and the utensils are no longer being used.(unquote)
To aswer this assumes the meal is eaten without pause to pour a glass for someone,sit back to pause and aid digestion or even answer an emergency call. Cutlery Placed together a waitor does not need to ask..
It is also not a pointless piece of etiquette as being neat in all ways aids the collection of used items and is a signal of respect to ones host.
2007-12-26 10:01:44 · update #1
My older American in-laws all know to put their cutlery together in the 12 o'clock position when they have finished eating and they also know to cross their cutlery on the plate if they have not finished. It's a pity the serving staff here have no idea what that means.
It seems to me it is a custom that crossed the Atlantic but has been forgotten in recent generations.
2007-12-23 18:45:15 · answer #1 · answered by freebird 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Other than similar utensils being placed together and facing in the same direction for ease of storage in a drawer, why would they ever need to be placed in any particular arrangement anywhere?
The "indicates to others that the plate can be taken" part appears as though it is attempting to begin to offer a logical justification for an intentional and particular arrangement, but, generally, the mere presence of utensils laying completely on top of a plate is a sufficient indication that both the plate and the utensils are no longer being used.
2007-12-23 12:05:36 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
As far as I know there is no correct placement of utensils at the end of the meal in the US. However, I always place all my utensils facing inward with the handles at three o'clock on my plate when I'm finished. It seems to work as a signal that I'm finished and it keeps my place neat and tidy. I've noticed that many other people do this as well, so it must just be a common sense thing.
2007-12-23 11:01:25 · answer #3 · answered by sursumcorda 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yeah, we're a bunch of ill-mannered RUBES, now aren't we? Talk about being "back-woods"!!
While it is unfortunate that a good portion of Americans do not know proper "manners," the proper positioning of eating utensils is truly one of the lowest aspects of proper manners. I'd rather see people concentrate more on being able to "get along" in society in general rather than knowing which fork to use, or where it is placed on a plate, or which side to serve and which side to take away. Frankly, "devotion" to these aspects of etiquette is what give etiquette a poor reputation.
Which would you rather have someone NOT do: Be RUDE to someone or not use the proper fork for their salad?
I'm not excusing BAD behavior... not at all! But I think the emphasis must be placed "properly"... and for the overall welfare of society, I'd much rather see someone learn to say, "Pardon me," or "Thank you" than making sure the fork goes at the 12-o'clock position!
Have a polite day.
2007-12-23 12:09:24 · answer #4 · answered by wyomugs 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, most American's do not think about utensil placement. You are lucky if it even gets left on the plate instead of the table. Its more that it has never seemed like a big deal to us than that we are slobs though.
I'm not sure why we are like this. Its hard to even get most people to remember not have their elbows on the table during the meal.
2007-12-23 10:54:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've never heard of exactly where to put the fork, but I was taught that your knife should be placed on the rim of the plate while eating. Nothing about where on the rim or anything to do with time to clear it. My mom taught me all of this stuff as a result of her attending charm school when she was a teen; doesn't make her an expert, but she does tend to know her stuff. Perhaps this is just another tradition that didn't make it's way across the pond?
2007-12-23 11:35:15 · answer #6 · answered by bainaashanti 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
In the US, we leave the utensils on the plate. It does not have to correspond to the clock.
The waiter/waitress approaches and politely asks if we are finished with our plate. We answer yes or no.
That's the custom on this side of the pond.
2007-12-23 11:26:48 · answer #7 · answered by Marguerite 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's not much of a custom in US.
I generally place my knife and fork at 3 to 9 o'clock.
I've been to UK several times, and love it.
You British are so damn proper. Yanks have a hard time with it. LOL
2007-12-23 10:53:22 · answer #8 · answered by ed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is correct. If the eating implements are in the middle of the plate, they are done with that plate and implements.
2007-12-23 10:52:26 · answer #9 · answered by Dennis Fargo 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
in the u.s. we just put them on the plate any way they fall. No we are not just a bunch of slobs but then again we aren't as stuffy as the Brits
2007-12-23 10:50:38 · answer #10 · answered by autumnbrookblue 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋