Originally Posted by kimilseung (Post 8549535)

Is it time to start complaining about having to use dirty knives and forks?
that you are not given clean ones for each course. If so, let me be the first.

Originally Posted by Rete (Post 8549538)

Lucky here as we only eat one course so never have to worry about things like that. Less to wash up after the meal is through. :thumbup:

Originally Posted by Rete (Post 8549481)

hehehehe I don't eat a burger with a knife and fork but pick it up in my hands. Thus no problem!:thumbsup:

Originally Posted by kimilseung (Post 8549535)

Is it time to start complaining about having to use dirty knives and forks?
that you are not given clean ones for each course. If so, let me be the first.

Originally Posted by Trixie_b (Post 8549576)

The reuse of knives and forks bothers me.

Also, in resturants here, if one person finishes a meal before their companion, the plate is whipped away while the other person is still eating.

Originally Posted by Rete (Post 8549583)

Again a difference of opinion. I prefer that they remove my finished plate as soon as I'm done with it. I can then sit back and enjoy speaking with the rest of my dinner companions while others are still enjoying their appetitzer or whatever. However, if it is just two diners, then I would prefer they wait until both are finished or have indicated that the plates should be removed.

Originally Posted by MrEmjoy (Post 8549612)

Even with more than two I feel uncomfortable when they take a plate away its just a way of hurrying you along.

Appetizers are another matter though. At the end of the meal I dislike it very much!

Originally Posted by Trixie_b (Post 8549576)

The reuse of knives and forks bothers me.

Also, in resturants here, if one person finishes a meal before their companion, the plate is whipped away while the other person is still eating.

:oI can't remember if this happens in the UK :o

When it happens I just feel that it's rude, is that because all plates are left on the table in the UK until the last person has finished? or is it my imagination?

Originally Posted by Trixie_b (Post 8549639)

With the plates thing, I feel that it puts pressure on the diner still eating when the finished plates are removed by highlighting they are the last eating / holding people up.

Originally Posted by Trixie_b (Post 8549576)

The reuse of knives and forks bothers me.

Also, in resturants here, if one person finishes a meal before their companion, the plate is whipped away while the other person is still eating.

:oI can't remember if this happens in the UK :o

When it happens I just feel that it's rude, is that because all plates are left on the table in the UK until the last person has finished? or is it my imagination?

Originally Posted by Trixie_b (Post 8549639)

With the plates thing, I feel that it puts pressure on the diner still eating when the finished plates are removed by highlighting they are the last eating / holding people up.

Originally Posted by Trixie_b (Post 8549576)

The reuse of knives and forks bothers me.

Also, in resturants here, if one person finishes a meal before their companion, the plate is whipped away while the other person is still eating.

:oI can't remember if this happens in the UK :o

When it happens I just feel that it's rude, is that because all plates are left on the table in the UK until the last person has finished? or is it my imagination?

Originally Posted by mikehope (Post 8548261)

I remember when I first had a meal with the American in laws and they were all staring at me eating, my wife later told me its because of how I use my knife and fork and I mix things together on the fork.
I thought that everyone ate that way till I really watched how most people use cutlery over here.
I was then thinking of the scene in "Kate and Leopold" where they are dining together, made sense of hop they were watching him eat.

Originally Posted by Rete (Post 8548265)

This difference rears it head at least once every six months.

Yup there are differences in the use of tableware. However, I have never seen many Americans mixing their foods on the same fork at one time and then shoveling it into their mouths. Now that seems like poor manners. Unless, of course, you are mixing your peas with your mashed potatoes :)