• Pass it around In homes, dishes are usually passed around in a circle so that each person can get a share of food; families and friends never eat out of one large communal bowl in the middle as it is a risk for getting the whole family sick all at once. If you find you are in a home and do not want one of the dishes being passed around, it is perfectly alright to refuse-just pass it along. When you are finished, leave a small amount on your plate and leave your fork and knife off to the side: it means to the hostess or waitress, "I am done.