Ignoring Civilities Can Cost You

 

“For this exploit he had to pay five dollars.” One should always use the butter knife, spreader or butter pick provided, rather than their own table or dinner knife..., but these are minor etiquette faux pas compared to the outright bad manners of hurling a knife at a restaurant wall in anger!
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Above, assorted antique silver butter knives, butter spreaders and butter picks.
Photo source, Etiquipedia private photo library

 

We have heard of a well-dressed stranger at a great hotel in Boston who, having used his own knife for the butter, flew into a violent passion with the waiter for respectfully pointing out to him the silver butter-knife.

Swearing that the knife he had been putting into his mouth was quite good enough, afterward, for any butter in the world, the gentleman flung the silver knife across the table and broke it against the wall. For this exploit he had to pay five dollars. —New York Times 1931

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia