HERE’S A SOLUTION

I’ve been fighting similar battles since I moved here from Australia 14 years ago.

A solution to the problem of unfinished dishes being whisked away lies in what is probably now an old-fashioned custom of Australia, the British Isles and Europe: We indicate that we haven’t finished eating by crossing the knife and fork on the plate with the tines of the fork facing downward. Any server/busboy worth their salt knows what this means and wouldn’t dream of taking away the plate.

Carol Nelson

Northridge