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.
Observe the Continental dining style for holding your utensils. The knife should be held in the right hand and the fork in the left at all times. Holding your fork according to American customs will not be taken as an offense, but it may be noticed.
Avoid putting your elbows on the table while eating.
Keep your hands above the table during a meal. Do not rest them in your lap, as is customary in the U.S.
Use your fork and knife to eat all foods, including fruit and cheese. Using your fingers to eat is considered rude in most situations. It is not uncommon for a whole piece of fruit to be eaten with a fork and a knife in Italy.
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.
Avoid bumping into the people sitting next to you with your elbows while eating. Try to keep your elbows tucked in 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.