Silent service code

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The silent service code is a way for a diner to "talk" to servers during a meal without saying a word, mainly to tell them that the diner is finished. This will prevent any embarrassing situations where the server would take a meal prematurely.

To tell a server you have finished place your napkin to the left of your plate, and place all your utensils together in a "4-o'clock" position on your plate.

Utensils crossed on a plate signify that a diner is still eating.

If you must leave during the meal, you should place the napkin on your chair to avoid any confusion.

The code is almost always taught during business dining etiquette classes.

See also[]

Nonverbal communication

Nonverbal communication

Modalities

Physical	Blushing Body language / Kinesics Facial expression Facial Action Coding System Microexpression Subtle expression Gesture List Speech-independent gestures Haptic communication Imitation Interpersonal synchrony Laughter Oculesics Eye contact Pupil dilation Posture Proxemics
Speech	Affect Emotional prosody Paralanguage Intonation Loudness Prosody Rhythm Stress Tone Voice quality
Social context	Chronemics Conventions Display rules Habitus High-context and low-context cultures Interpersonal relationship Social norm
Other	Emoticon / Smiley One-bit message Missed call Yo Punctuation Silent service code
Unconscious	Microexpression Non-verbal leakage
Multi-faceted	Affect display Deception Emotion recognition First impression Intimacy

Broader concepts
Basic interpersonal communicative skills Communication Emotional intelligence Nunchi People skills Semiotics Social behavior Social cue Social competence Social skills Unsaid

Further information

Disorders

Neuroanatomy

Applications

Technology

Key people

Animal communication Behavioral communication Aggressive Assertive Passive Passive-aggressive Impression management Meta-communication Monastic sign lexicons Verbal communication
Non-verbal language	Sign language Tactile signing Tadoma
Art and literature	Mime Mimoplastic art Subtext

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