What does quiet service mean in a restaurant and could you experience it?

The term “quiet service” may sound ominous, as if the wait staff is deciding to shun you for misbehaving or asking for an extra helping of ranch meat. In reality, it’s nothing serious and you’re unlikely to encounter it unless you’re dining at a very high-end restaurant where servers read subtle cues, like the way your silverware is set. While it’s helpful to know good manners in fine dining, it’s not a requirement.

The general definition of silent service is a waiter who anticipates your needs without you asking. Some examples are refilling a glass of water or removing a plate once it has been cleared, all without you asking. Experienced waitstaff are always keeping an eye on how much is left in a glass, whether it is time to change bread, fries or desserts, and other signs that indicate what the customer needs.

Proactivity doesn’t always come naturally to those just starting out, but once you start looking for it as a customer, it’s easy to tell who’s been a server or bartender the longest. Really good restaurants want a roaming waitstaff who’s everywhere and nowhere at the same time, there when you need them but not too intrusive.

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Communicating with a fork and knife

No, communicating with your fork and knife doesn’t mean gesturing with your cutlery to ask for seconds, or waving at a server with a fork in your hand and showing them an empty martini glass for a refill. The more specific definition of silent service refers to how you place your knife and fork on a plate.

If you place your knife and fork at a 45-degree angle toward the center of your plate, with the tips close but not touching, it means you are taking a break. If you interlock the tines of the knife and fork, it means you did not like the food. A crossed knife and fork means you are ready for the next plate, while a parallel knife and fork, pointing north, means you are finished. A parallel knife and fork, but pointing to the right, indicates that the food was “excellent.”

There are also ways to communicate with the wait staff via your napkin, but again, don’t expect Brian at the local bar and grill to know why you left a napkin on your chair. He may just put it back on the table. However, if you’re in a place that seems to have a knack for napkin placement, leave it on your chair to let the server know you’re just stepping away for a second. Some places will even go so far as to fold it up for you. If you want to signal that you’re done, place the napkin to the left of your plate.

How to Tell if a Restaurant Offers Quiet Service

There are many ways to serve tables, but each restaurant has its own specific standards. If you notice that customers and diners communicate without speaking, don’t feel obligated to do the same, as silent service is not common. If you are in an establishment that knows these rules, chances are that they place a high value on service in general and follow the customers’ instructions. So don’t worry about when to put down your menu, or where to put down your cutlery or napkin.

At the end of the meal, servers always work for a tip, and it is against their job to correct or reprimand a customer for unusual and rarely used cutlery practices. They may say something if you snap your fingers to get their attention, or call all the servers “champ,” “buddy,” or “boy,” but that is more your problem than theirs.

Most hospitality and restaurant employees are capable of making small talk and will likely engage as the customer does. Some people don’t like to chat while getting their hair cut or are simply not in the mood, and that’s okay. The same goes for restaurants: if you’re chatty, the server is more likely to be too. Conversely, if there’s silence every time they check in, the conversation will follow.

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Read the original article on Food Republic.