The Silent Signals of Silverware

Good manners and social confidence begin at the family table!

An important foundation of good table manners is using silverware correctly.
Knowing either the Continental or American method of eating, how to cut food correctly with the knife and fork, and the silent signals are all skills children can master with a little instruction and guidance.

In this post, let’s look at the silent signals of silverware.
This is a simple table manners skill to teach your family and can be learned quickly by even young children.

Use these four teaching points and see the pictures below:

#1- Used silverware should never be set back on the tabletop.
#2- Servers in restaurants are trained to recognize the silent signals. Using the silent signals at every meal (when dining out and at home) show you are confident and mannerly.
#3- There are two slightly different variations of the silent signals. One is for the Continental method of eating and the other is for the American method. You may use either. Both are considered to be good manners!
#4- The knife blades are always turned inwards towards you.