I googled this and couldn't find a satisfactory answer.

Last night my husband and I went out for a very nice dinner. After dinner he placed his cutlery down (fork prongs facing the plate and spoon facing down) on the plate.

I asked him if he didn't enjoy the meal. He said it was very good. I then questioned why he had placed his cutlery down, as that signified that he wasn't pleased with the meal. He disagreed.

I have always been told that after a good meal, to show that you are pleased, you should put the cutlery face up, as it signifies that you would love to have more.

So who's right, hubby or me?

Niether if you didn't cross it when left on the plate :)

(quote)
To signal that your are done with the course, rest your fork, tines up, and knife blade in, with the handles resting at five o'clock an tips pointing to ten o'clock on your plate.


Ref:

Dining Etiquette Guide, Dinner Party Manners, United States Dining Table Manners, Dinner Etiquette, Restaurant Dining Etiquette, Food Etiquette Guide

It's cultural. In most restaurants below four stars it won't even be noticed.

Four and above speak a European language if you finish tines down.

Wait, so Calidad says tines up and Cats says tines down?

Do we have a tie breaker?

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Originally Posted by Altenweg

Wait, so Calidad says tines up and Cats says tines down?

Do we have a tie breaker?

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Playoff: Do you fork with your left hand or right?

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Originally Posted by Catsmine

Playoff: Do you fork with your left hand or right?

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WT? ;)

I use my right hand. My parents were horrified. I can't cut with my right hand for some reason, even though I am right handed. I'm a freak. ;)

Hmm.. I've heard that you are supposed to place the utensils face down at the rim of the plate with the handle resting on the table. The waiter/waitress then knows that you are finished the meal and takes your plate.

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Originally Posted by Altenweg

WT? ;)

I use my right hand. My parents were horrified. I can't cut with my right hand for some reason, even though I am right handed. I'm a freak. ;)

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Dad wins. You've become Americanized in your dining habits. No slurs on your place of residence, I can't spell Canadiananananized(see?).

Okay, hubby and I talked about it and we're coming up with our own system of etiquette with respect to fine dining.

If you like the meal you place the cutlery on the plate at the 10 and 2 position, fork on it's side, knife with blade part pointing in, napkin folded in the shape of a swan and placed gently at the 12 o'clock position.

If you don't like the meal you stab the waiter with the fork and run like hell. :p

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Originally Posted by Altenweg

Okay, hubby and I talked about it and we're coming up with our own system of etiquette with respect to fine dining.

If you like the meal you place the cutlery on the plate at the 10 and 2 position, fork on it's side, knife with blade part pointing in, napkin folded in the shape of a swan and placed gently at the 12 o'clock position.

If you don't like the meal you stab the waiter with the fork and run like hell. :p

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Speaking of not likeing the meal. I have left a penny for a tip before because the service during the meal was horrid. What's a good one for that? Besides stab and go go go..

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Originally Posted by califdadof3

Speaking of not likeing the meal. I have left a penny for a tip before because the service during the meal was horrid. Whats a good one for that? Besides stab and go go go ..

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You could always throw the pennies at the waiter. I hear that ticks off prostitutes, so why not crappy waiters? :p

I'm kidding! Put the penny down! :eek:

Personally I think that fancy restaurants where this fork and knife etiquette thing might actually be noticed, should write the standard procedure in the menu. It would come in handy for those of us that dine at McDonalds and don't usually use cutlery. ;)

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Originally Posted by califdadof3

Speaking of not likeing the meal. I have left a penny for a tip before because the service during the meal was horrid. Whats a good one for that? Besides stab and go go go ..

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Standing up, yelling obscenities and throwing your plate on the floor might clue the server that you're not pleased.

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Originally Posted by Catsmine

Standing up, yelling obscenities and throwing your plate on the floor might clue the server that you're not pleased.

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Either that or your getting a handicap discount for turrets.

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Originally Posted by califdadof3

Either that or your getting a handicap discount for turrets.

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Then there's the superglue for the penny. It works better when they don't have tablecloths.

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Originally Posted by Catsmine

Then there's the superglue for the penny. It works better when they don't have tablecloths.

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But then you have to stick around and video tape. :)

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Originally Posted by Altenweg

But then you have to stick around and video tape. :)

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Tip the bartender for the security footage with what you would have spent on a decent server.

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Originally Posted by Catsmine

Tip the bartender for the security footage with what you would have spent on a decent server.

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You've done this before. ;)

Did the cleanup crew use a crumber?

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Originally Posted by KeepItSimpleStupid

Did the cleanup crew use a crumber?

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I didn't stick around for that, but the waiter came around with fresh pepper and the napkins were real. :)

Check the references for instructions: Crumber - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It would have been used during the meal, between courses. I've only been to ONE restaurant that used one.