09/10/2025
Your cutlery placement acts as a nonverbal cue to your server, indicating whether you are pausing or are finished with your meal.
The Resting Position places cutlery in an open, inverted “v” shape with the fork on the left and the knife on the right. In the American style, the fork tines face upward. The blade of your knife should face inward. This position indicates that you are simply pausing and not ready for your plate to be removed.
The Finished Position places cutlery parallel to one another, pointing at 10 and 4 o’clock, with fork on the left and knife on the right. Fork tines remain upward and knife blade points inward, as in the Resting Position. This position tells servers they may take your plate.
Remember, when dining it is polite to pace yourself with your companions. Thus, if someone has not finished, avoid closing your cutlery so they do not feel rushed by a server removing your plate.
| Etiquette Consultant, Dining Etiquette, Table Manners, Table Etiquette.
