"We're not done eating."

Interestingly, I had it happen this evening at a board/dinner meeting at a local East end restaurant of some note. I only had a small cup of lobster bisque (EXCELLENT) and a iceberg lettuce wedge salad (was OK). I cut my wedge up little bit at a time into fork full bite sized bits. I had about 1/3 left and my knife was laying across the plate the cup of lobster bisque was on. Some had finished their light suppers others still munching and talking. The wait person asked if I was done and I politely said no, not yet. They said, ok and then reached over and picked up my knife from the plate. In a bit stronger voice I said, ESPECIALLY NOT WITH MY KNIFE, WOULD YOU PLEASE BRING ME A CLEAN ONE. And then glared at the waitperson. As they left to get me a knife two of the other members mumbled, something about hating being rushed and tip reduction. No need rush us, 30% of the tables were empty, you didn't need turn our 8 top over.

And so it goes.

Another consideration, from a local/restaurant/bar that shall remain nameless, it can also be that they refuse to have the proper amount of dishes or drinkware. Particular place in question will try to take your beer when it's 1/4th full because "they're out of glasses," and woe be unto to you if you have both a beer glass and a water glass.