Table Manners and Etiquette

[Curvaceous Kate]

This evening I decided I would go down to the hotel bar for some dinner. It was quite enjoyable and I was very hungry, as I had not eaten much during the day and had a very busy afternoon/evening, so began to eat with gusto and realised that I was going too fast, so put my knife and fork down and began to read a book in order to pace myself.

While I was reading I had my knife and fork at angles on the plate. To me this indicates that I have not yet finished eating and I did think this was a universal code. However, while I was pausing between mouthfuls I was asked if I had finished, so the waitress could clear my table. It was not particularly busy, so they did not need my table, although it was coming towards the end of their serving time.

Of course I said I had not finished and continued to peck at what was left of my food, while enjoying my glass of wine and absorbing the contents of my book, but I began to wonder if the mistake was due to the Waitresses lack of knowledge or the consumers lack of etiquette at the bar?

Do people still exercise the time old practice of putting the knife and fork together at 6 O'clock or is this a thing of the past and I'm the odd one out?

What do you do with your knife and fork when you have finished your meal, while dining out?