Dining Guide / During the Meal

Knife and Fork Signals

How you place your knife and fork tells the server whether you’re still eating or finished: an inverted V when you pause, side by side with the handles toward about four o’clock when you’re done.

1. Still eating (inverted V) — Rest the knife and fork on the plate in an inverted V. It signals you’re not done, so your plate stays.
2. Finished (four o’clock) — Place them together with the handles toward the lower right, knife blade facing the fork.

Key Points

1. When you pause mid-meal, rest your knife and fork on the plate in an inverted V.
2. When you’re finished, place them side by side with the handles pointing toward about four o’clock.
3. In either position, turn the knife blade toward the fork.
4. Once you’ve used a piece of cutlery, keep it on the plate rather than back on the tablecloth.

Do

• Set your cutlery down when you talk or take a drink
• Place them together when you’re done

Avoid

• Gesturing with your knife or fork in hand
• Putting used cutlery on the tablecloth
• Leaning cutlery on the plate with the handles on the table

Handy Tip

“Inverted V means still eating, together means finished.” Remember just that, and you’ll be understood almost anywhere.

Customs That Vary

The “finished” position varies: some countries use six o’clock (straight up and down) or three o’clock. As long as the knife and fork lie together, the message is clear.

Practice in a Lesson

• Courses and Cutlery Signals — 6 min · Sign in to unlock

Sources

• Emily Post Institute, “Top Questions for Dining Out” — Finished-position signals, dropped utensils, inedible items and spills.
• Emily Post Institute, “Top Table Manners Tips” — Posture, napkins, utensils, soup and phones at the table.

Last updated: October 25, 2026