5. WHEN TO START EATING
At a small table of only two to four people, wait until everyone else has been served before starting to eat. At a formal or business meal, you should either wait until everyone is served to start or begin when the host asks you to.
6. HANDLING UTENSILS
The continental table manners style prevails at all meals, formal and informal, because it is a natural, non-disruptive way to eat.
Hold your fork in your left hand, tines downward.
Hold your knife in your right hand, an inch or two above the plate.
Extend your index finger along the top of the blade.
Use your fork to spear and lift food to your mouth.
If your knife is not needed, it remains on the table.
At informal meals the dinner fork may be held tines upward, American table manners style.
7. PASSING THE FOOD
Pass to the right. One diner either holds the dish as the next diner takes some food, or he hands it to the person, who then serves herself. Any heavy or awkward dishes are put on the table with each pass. Special rules apply to passing salt and pepper and passing bread and butter.
8. RESTING UTENSILS
When you pause to take a sip of your beverage or to speak with someone, rest your utensils by placing your knife and fork on your plate near the center, slightly angled in an inverted V and with the tips of the knife and fork pointing toward each other.
9. MEALS END
At a formal affair, plates are removed by a professional staff. But as most informal meals are served without help, the hostess clears the plates, often with the help of a guest or two. At a family meal, members clear their own plates.
Leaving the dining room. To signal dinner is concluded, the hostess catches the eye of the host, lays her napkin on the table, and suggests that everyone go into another room for coffee and after-dinner drinks. The hostess rises from her chair.
When it's time to leave, rather than detain one's host with a lengthy good-bye, make the departure brief but cordial.