Etiquette says that plates should not be cleared away until all guests have finished their dishes. Then the plates can be changed for the next dish or at the end of the meal. In a good restaurant, the waiter should be attentive but unobtrusive. In my view, it’s not appropriate for the waiter to ask “are you still working on it? “
People are no longer taught basic rules of etiquette so they just make it up as they go along.
Room temperature water is best with the meal. Iced beverages should not be consumed with the meal. But I know that most people would disagree with me on the beverage issue. I think it’s the Coca Cola influence.
