Removing the Dinner Plate
The process of signaling to the wait staff that they can clear your plate after a meal differs from country to country. To do it the American way, set your knife and fork next to each other in the center of the plate. To do it like the French, cross your knife and fork.
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I was taught to leave my knife and fork side by side at 4 o’clock on the plate.
I was taught to leave my knife and fork side by side at 4 o’clock on the plate.
In the UK I was taught to set the knife and fork together at about the ‘five o’clock’ position
In the UK I was taught to set the knife and fork together at about the ‘five o’clock’ position
I’ve noticed a trend over time of waitstaff whisking your plate away as soon as possible — without regard to whether your dining companions have finished eating. This appalling trend has spread to even the most expensive restaurants. Dining etiquette dictates that no plates be removed until everyone at the table is finished. That way, there aren’t three people with empty places and one person left slowly eating their salad feeling pressured to finish quickly.
I’ve noticed a trend over time of waitstaff whisking your plate away as soon as possible — without regard to whether your dining companions have finished eating. This appalling trend has spread to even the most expensive restaurants. Dining etiquette dictates that no plates be removed until everyone at the table is finished. That way, there aren’t three people with empty places and one person left slowly eating their salad feeling pressured to finish quickly.