As of: March 28, 2024, 7:24 p.m
By: Carmen Mörwald
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In the restaurant you can talk a lot without words - using the language of cutlery. You should definitely know these positions.
Kassel – The food in the restaurant didn't taste good, but you're afraid to tell the waitress? No problem, because there is a secret cutlery code with which you can express your discomfort without words. Waiters understand what is meant. They also have their own way of communicating.
“Etiquette” in restaurants: This is where the secret cutlery code comes from
The cutlery code was originally found in the work “On Dealing with People” by Adolph Freiherr Knigge. Even today it is common practice, especially in fine dining, to give signals to the waiter using a knife and fork. The codes do not only apply in Germany and are interpreted differently depending on the country.
Be careful when putting down the cutlery: you can give the waiter unwanted signals. © Malte Jäger / Imago
In Italy, for example, it is unusual to place cutlery crosswise. The reason for this is that the position is reminiscent of the crucifixion of Jesus and the suffering associated with it. In the USA, however, cutlery should only be put aside when you are finished. Otherwise the waiter will immediately remove the plate and bring the bill.
Secret cutlery code in the restaurant: This is how the fork and knife are positioned
Cutlery language may seem complicated, but it is actually easy to learn. All you need is a plate, a fork and a knife. The plate represents a clock while the fork and knife represent the hands. If the cutlery is then aligned appropriately depending on the situation, the waiter can understand the guest's intentions.
Cutlery on “20 past 8” – “I’m taking a break”
Do you want to take a break but are worried that the waitress might come and clear away your plate and food? This situation can be avoided if the cutlery is positioned at “20 after 8” in the shape of a triangle. The handle of the fork is at 8 o'clock and the handle of the knife is about 20 minutes later.
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Silverware code for “I’m taking a break.” © Carmen Mörwald / IPPEN.MEDIA
Cutlery at “20 past 4” – “I’m done”
When you're finished eating in a restaurant, you don't have to tell the waiter verbatim. He sees it when the cutlery is at “20 past 4”. In this case, both the knife and fork point parallel towards 4 o'clock. If you want to express how it tasted at the same time, you have to use another secret cutlery code.
The cutlery code for “I’m done.” © Carmen Mörwald / IPPEN.MEDIA
Cutlery at “20 past 7” – “I would like a second helping”
On the other hand, if you cross your knife and fork in the middle of the plate so that the handles are on the edge of the plate at 5 o'clock and 7 o'clock, you tell the waiter that you would like a second helping. This cutlery code also means that the cutlery that has already been used will continue to be used. If in doubt, the waiter will ask again.
The cutlery code for “I want a second helping.” © Carmen Mörwald / IPPEN.MEDIA
Cutlery at “5 past 7” – “I enjoyed it”
The food was excellent? This can be signaled to the waiter with “5 after half past seven”. The cutlery is laid parallel in the direction of 7:35 a.m. - similar to the cutlery code for "I'm done", just to the left. At the same time, the position of the fork and knife also means that the waitress can clear away and give the compliment to the chef.
The cutlery code for “I enjoyed it”. © Carmen Mörwald / IPPEN.MEDIA
Cutlery on “20 to 8” – “I didn’t like it”
If you didn't like the food, you don't have to tell the restaurant staff personally. According to “Etiquette”, it is enough to position the fork at 8 o’clock and the knife at 7 o’clock. The knife and fork are placed next to each other like in “5 past 7” – just a little less parallel and more at an angle to each other.
Cutlery code for “I didn’t like it.” © Carmen Mörwald / IPPEN.MEDIA
In general, it is important to pay attention to how the cutlery is placed on the plate. Otherwise, incorrect signals could be sent to the waiter or restaurant staff, which in turn can lead to misunderstandings.
But it's not just in restaurants that it can be worth knowing the secret codes: there are also tips and tricks in supermarkets that can help customers save a lot when shopping. In addition, the employees use numerical codes in the announcements.
The editor wrote this article and then used an AI language model for optimization at his own discretion. All information has been carefully checked. Find out more about our AI principles here.