Originally Posted by
jcwoman
I don't think this is a standard rule. I thought I posted it earlier, but just in case I didn't, I got lectured once by a waiter at a Denny's (lowest quality level diner-type restaurant in the U.S.) because when I was finished, I laid my cutlery parallel on my plate. He informed me self-importantly that the correct way to signal I was done was to CROSS the cutlery.
The idea that a snooty Denny's waiter exists makes me ROTFL. Talk about delusions of grandeur!
According to Miss Manners*, the proper response would have been, "You probably ought to stick to providing food, not etiquette advice, for the term of your employment here--unless, of course, you're interested in having someone kick your Moons Over My Hammy**."
* Popular U.S. advice columnist who addresses questions of etiquette
** Actual Denny's menu item (and terrible pun) involving eggs and ham
*** Given Denny's clientele--especially on third shift--this is a real possibility