Miss Manners: The restaurant didn’t give me a butter knife and my dinner knife is dirty
A diner is unsure what to do when wanting to butter a roll but only has a dinner knife covered in meat and sauce, with no separate butter knife provided.
Liam Carter 
It is a common dining dilemma: you are enjoying a meal, but when it comes time to butter your roll, you find yourself staring at a dinner knife coated in sauce or meat remnants. Without a clean butter knife in sight, many diners are left unsure of how to proceed.
Solving the Butter Knife Dilemma
According to Miss Manners, the solution is straightforward: simply ask your server for a fresh knife. While diners often feel inclined to improvise or settle for a messy situation, it is the establishment's responsibility to ensure you have the proper tools to enjoy your meal. You should never feel like it is your job to manage a lack of silverware.
Get in Touch with Miss Manners
Do you have your own etiquette quandary? You can send your questions to Miss Manners via her website at missmanners.com, by sending an email to dearmissmanners@gmail.com, or by mailing a letter to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106. Keep following 205focus.com for more advice and local insights.
