To verbalise and explain the cutlery arrangement, the plate is often thought of as the clock and the cutlery as the clock hand.
They pause the meal – “20 past 8”
If you want to take a break from eating, position the handles of your knife and fork at around 8 o’clock and 4 o’clock in the shape of a triangle, as far as possible despite the food on the plate. The entire “clock” shows about 8:20 a.m.
You want second helpings with old cutlery – “20 after 7”
Cross the knife and fork in the middle of the plate so that the handles at 5 o’clock and 7 o’clock are on the edge of the plate, letting the waiter know that you want to continue using the cutlery you have already used and/or would like a second helping.
You didn’t like it – “20 to 8”
If you didn’t like the food, you can say so by placing the knife and fork with the blade and tines crossed in a triangle, so that the time is roughly 7:40 a.m.
You liked it – “5 past 6”
If you want to compliment the food, you can place the knife and fork with both handles to the bottom left and parallel to each other at about 07:35. For the waiter, this means that he can clear up and convey your compliments to the chef.
They finished eating – “20 past 4”
When you have finished eating and would like to ask the waiter to clear away the dishes, you can position the knife and fork parallel to each other on the plate with the handles diagonally to the bottom right so that the time is around 4:20 a.m.