I am most grateful for your enthusiastic questions which have been simply splendid! Here are a few of my answers and suggestions concerning dining:

As you are dining, the knife blade faces away from you. When you are finished eating, place your knife blade toward you. A knowledgeable server will know this rule and it is your silent cue that you are done. The knife and fork are placed in the 10-4 o'clock position in America. For Continental dining the fork tines are placed down toward the plate.
When using a knife and fork to cut your meat, remember to keep your elbows down. Oh, you must remember Mummy reminding you: "No elbows on the table, dear", right? Well, "elbows on the table" appears to be quite popular these days, don’t you agree?
Eat your noodles/spaghetti with only a fork, no spoon is needed. You may need to cut the noodles if they are unruly!
When there is a dessert fork and spoon presented, pick up both together at the same time... fork in the left, spoon in the right. You may push the food with the fork to the spoon. When completed, place them together on the right side of the dessert plate. For ice cream, only a spoon will be presented and is placed on the plate under the bowl or glass of ice cream.
Refrain from seasoning what is served to you until you have tasted it first. It is an insult to your hostess, or the chef, that you should choose to season your food before you made the effort to taste it first!

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Forbidden Faux Pas

No-no: When ordering in a restaurant, club or to a server, to say, "I want the ..." or "Can I have..."

What is done: Politely ask, "May I have...".