Fork etiquette

[Beaniegirl13]

I know that when you are finished eating your main course you indicate this by leaving your knife and fork at 6 o/clock on the plate, but what if you have been eating a meal or desert with just a fork? It looks odd on it's own at 6 o/clock, I like it between 4 and 5, just slightly off centre, but then am concerned that this might mean I'm not finished. Does anyone know the proper etiquette?

[naomi24]

You'll usually get a fork and a spoon with a pudding, so even if you use only the fork, just leave both as you would leave your knife and fork from your main course.

[Octavius]

If it is on a plate and you are using one piece of cutlery, the correct way is to leave it on the right hand side of the plate in the 6 o�clock position. If it is a bowl, then it matters not. Generally the main rule is that once a utensil has entered the food and/or mouth, it should never touch the table again.

The yanks do 4 o�clock you know. So uncultured.

[CheekyChops]

Just eat everything - if there is no food left on your plate it should be obvious that you have finished!

[Octavius]

Good grief no! Never ever clear your plate of food, its just not proper. Always leave some to indicate that you have had enough for your fill but too much to finish. Clearing your plate indicates that you could have more and the host may be offended having not provided you with enough,

[chakka35]

If you want to put your fork down (with or without a knife or spoon) before you have finished, you place it with the prong points down. The prongs pointing up indicates to the waiter or host that you have finished. Four 'o'clock or six 'o'clock doesn't matter.

[CheekyChops]

I obviously don't go to the right type of dinner parties!

If I've got something I really like, I'm not going to leave some just so the host isn't offended, surely its a compliment that I enjoyed it so much I've eaten it all! Leaving some in our house usually means you don't like it.

Oh well, if I ever meet a rich milionaire who is likely to take me to high class places, I'll come on here for tips on etiquette first!

[Octavius]

Aw don�t worry CheekyChops, the Q was about the proper etiquette not the generally accepted habits in your own social circles. If I was at my mums and left anything, she would remind me of the starving children in Africa, just as she has always done since I was about 5 or so.

[naomi24]

Chakka's right - but if you feel your fork looks lonely on its own, do bring the unused spoon in to join it. There's nothing wrong with that,