I don't know if anyone else has had or his having the same problem.

I am a slow eater, ie when food is on my plate I may eat 50/60% and then stop to enjoy a drink etc then start eating again.

Why sometimes do others have to ask or even move to pick up my plate or even ask are you finished/don't you want that?

Why do they get annoyed when they reach for my plate and I say I'm not finished yet.

Does no one understand the knife and fork crossed means 'I'm not finished' and the knife and fork together means 'I am finished you can remove my plate'?

I've even had expats reach out with fork to spear a prawn or whatever from my plate and when I react they try to make it sound like my fault for not eating it.

Rant over.

I was also brought up with the "crossed or parallel" cutlery rule.

 

Have you tried an alternative cutlery rule - using your fork to stab the prawn thief in the back of the hand?

It's good to see that Thailand continues to attract the socially awkward.

Just eat faster and stop whinging.

 

Your title was also awful

No one would know that sign unless there from the 50's

That sign would cause mayhem accidentally anyhow.

 

Get a grip 

10 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

I was also brought up with the "crossed or parallel" cutlery rule.

 

Have you tried an alternative cutlery rule - using your fork to stab the prawn thief in the back of the hand?

Crossed my my mind many times. ?

8 hours ago, naboo said:

It's good to see that Thailand continues to attract the socially awkward.

Which side being socially awkward?

11 hours ago, overherebc said:

Does no one understand the knife and fork crossed means 'I'm not finished' and the knife and fork together means 'I am finished you can remove my plate'?

IMO it would depend where you were eating. If not in a hotel or actual 'falang' type restaurant I would imagine the answer would be no.

 

Not sure if the international symbol represents forks and spoons or chopsticks as well. Try not to forget where you are in the world when out eating as well, it may help.

 

And just on a personal note, if I was at a table and somebody tried to take food of my plate, finished or not, without asking I would be looking for different eating partners for the next time................

I generally finish in under 5 minutes. Grew up with two older brothers who would fork your hand if you were going for seconds at the same time they were.

Eating slow makes me nervous.

5 minutes ago, canuckamuck said:

I generally finish in under 5 minutes. Grew up with two older brothers who would fork your hand if you were going for seconds at the same time they were.

Eating slow makes me nervous.

Can't think of many things to keep your attention span primal than the possibility of getting forked at the dinner table.

 

Eating slow in that environment would make me nervous as well, seat against the back wall..................

Another one for the Pub Fun  forum I think