Dining Guide / When Things Go Wrong
Dropped or Missing Cutlery
If a utensil falls on the floor, leave it and ask the server for a new one. Do the same if something is missing.
Try what you’ve read in questions based on real dining situations. · 6 min
Practice: Cutlery and Its Placement
Key Points
- Don’t pick up cutlery that has fallen on the floor. Leave it for the server.
- Catch the server’s eye, raise your hand slightly and quietly ask, “Could I have another fork, please?”
- Only if it’s in a walkway where someone could trip, pick it up discreetly and set it aside.
- If a piece is missing, don’t hunt for one or borrow from another place setting. Ask the staff.
Do
- Stay calm and signal discreetly
- Ask quietly and briefly
Avoid
- Wiping it with your napkin and carrying on
- Calling out loudly for the staff
- Borrowing cutlery from your neighbor’s setting
Handy Tip
Clearing up dropped items is part of the server’s job. No need to over-apologize — a simple “please” and “thank you” is enough.
Practice in a Lesson
- Courses and Cutlery Signals — 6 min · Sign in to unlock
- Cutlery and Its Placement — 6 min · Practice in a Lesson
Read next
Sources
- Emily Post Institute, “Top Questions for Dining Out” — Finished-position signals, dropped utensils, inedible items and spills.