Silent service code

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 This article is orphaned as few or no other articles link to it.
Please help introduce links in articles on related topics. (November 2006)
Globe icon
 The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view of the subject.
Please improve this article or discuss the issue on the talk page.

The silent service code is a way for a diner to "talk" to servers during a meal without saying a word, mainly to tell them that the diner is finished. This will prevent any embarrassing situations where the server would take a meal prematurely.

To tell a server you are finished (only a cut of meat is 'done'), place your napkin to the left of your plate, and place all your utensils together in a "4-o'clock" position on your plate.

Utensils crossed on a plate signify that a diner is still eating.

If you must leave during the meal, you should place the napkin on your chair to avoid any confusion.

The code is almost always taught during business dining etiquette classes.

This culture-related article is a stub. You can help by expanding it.