Originally Posted by Desdemona (Post 8550466)

:rofl: Also referred to as "utensils" -- what's with that :huh: I'd reserve that for pots and pans, basically :unsure:

Originally Posted by RoadWarriorFromLP (Post 8549906)

In addition to working as a server in a nice restaurant back during my college days (during the Civil War), I also have occasionally had meals with Americans here in America.

And no, the cutlery "signal" is not common here at all. When I was doing the job, I was forever having to ask customers if they were finished because I couldn't tell, given that the silverware was all over the place and that most customers didn't eat everything that was served to them.

The standard for table manners in the US is certainly less stringent that you'll find in Europe. You can decide for yourself whether that's better, worse, or just different, but whatever it is, it is less formalized.

Originally Posted by Octang Frye (Post 8550490)

That's because you're uncouth, my dear.

Originally Posted by Octang Frye (Post 8550548)

Chopsticks!

This thread is like herpes. It just keeps on giving.

Originally Posted by Rete (Post 8550565)

Chopsticks! Where do you put them when you are between courses? Do you insist on a clean pair before you start on the main course?

What if you have an itch on your back and use it to scratch the itch? Do you wipe in on a napkin and reuse it or knock to the floor and demand a new one?

Do you use it to make a point during your dinner conversation and splatter ginger sauce over your companions face?

Originally Posted by Sally Redux (Post 8550567)

You get little porcelain things to rest them on...aaargh

Originally Posted by N1cky (Post 8550585)

Maybe we could move the topic onto tipping etiquette now:D

Originally Posted by Rete (Post 8550565)

Chopsticks! Where do you put them when you are between courses

Originally Posted by Rete (Post 8549496)

Do you hold you fork with the prongs down, speak your food and then place it in your mouth? And when you are mixing your food, i.e. potatoes and peas, do you then hold your fork with the prongs up and shovel the mixture in the "bowl" of the fork and holding it awkwardly in your left hand shovel it into your mouth?

I use the European method of knife in right hand and fork in left and never letting either out of my hands when eating. Was amazed and a bit horrified when I watched an Irish doing the second method and only eating with the prongs up. Was waiting for him to poke an eye out with the bloody fork. Wonder if he carries eye patches with him for accidents.

Originally Posted by Rete (Post 8550565)

Chopsticks! Where do you put them when you are between courses?

Originally Posted by Sally Redux (Post 8550500)

Make it stop.