Originally Posted by
emaij
Even in parts of Asia it's the hand-cover that makes it generally acceptable.
In parts of Asia it is very acceptable to throw chicken bones on the carpet and to belch loudly after a good meal.
Originally Posted by
Happy Trails
In Italy and France it is OK to use a toothpick as long as you cover your mouth with the opposite hand.
There is not elegant way at all to work on your teeth with the opposite hand covering the mouth. I would neither consider it acceptable nor "ok". The given fact that some people simply do it and do not know how to behave does not make it generally acceptable as good manners. In a good restaurant or in the company of business partners or clients, I would never even dream of using a toothpick at the table and I would be really confused if one of my partners started it. If you go to a McDonalds or a Pizza Hut and eat with you fingers or do not know how to deal with knife and fork, well....
Originally Posted by
rufflesinc
umm. what? link? where else would you use a toothpick?
As USAFAN pointed out very correctly, take the toothpick and go to the washing room.
By the way: We are not the only ones discussing it:
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/349592