Originally Posted by
biggestbopper
I can't think of one European country where using a toothpick at the table is okay. What about flossing at the table? @:-) China is a different story.
In some parts of the US restaurants used to dispense toothpicks at the cashier's counter out of cute little specialty machines and it was considered very suave to leave the restaurant picking away. But the customs appears to have died out. Perhaps increased dental care has something to do with it.
When in doubt, do not pick! @:-)
Where do you get your info? Do you read books on etiquette? Do you talk to locals? I read in Amy Vanderbilt's book of Etiquette that in Europe it was fine to use a toothpick at the table if done so discreetly.