Italy: Table manners

Table manners are an important part of Italian etiquette.

Wait to sit down at the table until the hostess has been seated. Then you may follow.
Follow the hostess' lead to determine when to eat. Either the hostess will instruct the guests to begin or she will just begin to eat herself.
Hold the knife with your right hand and the fork with your left all the time.
Do not put your elbows on the table while eating.
Keep your hands above the table during a meal. Do not rest them in your lap.
Use your fork and knife to eat all foods, including fruit and cheese. Using your fingers to eat is considered rude in most situations.
Put your bread on the tablecloth beside your plate at casual dinners. Only formal dinners usually have a specific bread plate as part of the table setting.
Do not bump into the people sitting next to you with your elbows when you eat. Try to keep your elbows close to your body.
Place your fork and knife together diagonally across your plate to indicate that you are finished and your plate can be removed.
Wait until the hostess leaves the table at the end of a meal to leave the table yourself.

Italy