Dining etiquette for utensils. Italians do not switch knives and forks. The knife remains in the right hand, and the fork remains in the left. When the meal is finished, the knife and fork are laid parallel to each other across the right side of the plate, with the tines of the fork facing downward. If you put both utensils down on the plate for any real length of time, it is a sign to the waitstaff that you are finished, and your plate may be taken away from you. Alternately, if you lay your cutlery down on either side of the plate, it means you haven't finished.
Dining etiquette for you place setting. The fork and spoon above your plate are for dessert. There are often many additional pieces of cutlery: if you're unsure of which utensil to use, always start from the outside and work your way in, course by course. There will be separate glasses provided at your setting for water and white and red wine (after-dinner drink glasses come out after dinner). If you have a small plate as well as a larger one, plus a bowl, most likely the small plate will be for antipasto (salad plates will come out later), and the large plate for the main course: the bowl will be for soup if a soup spoon is present, or for pasta if a soup spoon is not present.
Dining etiquette for eating bread. Bread is usually served without butter (therefore, there will usually not be a butter knife, but there may be a bread dish: if so, this usually means that olive oil will be served to dip the bread into; if not, you can place your bread on the side of your main plate or on the table throughout the meal).
Dining etiquette for your hands. When not holding utensils, your hands should be visible above the table. Rest your wrists on top of the table (never your elbows).
Dining etiquette for utensils. Italians do not switch knives and forks. The knife remains in the right hand, and the fork remains in the left. When the meal is finished, the knife and fork are laid parallel to each other across the right side of the plate, with the tines of the fork facing downward. If you put both utensils down on the plate for any real length of time, it is a sign to the waitstaff that you are finished, and your plate may be taken away from you. Alternately, if you lay your cutlery down on either side of the plate, it means you haven't finished.
Dining etiquette for you place setting. The fork and spoon above your plate are for dessert. There are often many additional pieces of cutlery: if you're unsure of which utensil to use, always start from the outside and work your way in, course by course. There will be separate glasses provided at your setting for water and white and red wine (after-dinner drink glasses come out after dinner). If you have a small plate as well as a larger one, plus a bowl, most likely the small plate will be for antipasto (salad plates will come out later), and the large plate for the main course: the bowl will be for soup if a soup spoon is present, or for pasta if a soup spoon is not present.
Dining etiquette for eating bread. Bread is usually served without butter (therefore, there will usually not be a butter knife, but there may be a bread dish: if so, this usually means that olive oil will be served to dip the bread into; if not, you can place your bread on the side of your main plate or on the table throughout the meal).
Dining etiquette for your hands. When not holding utensils, your hands should be visible above the table. Rest your wrists on top of the table (never your elbows).