The rule
Don't start eating until your host has picked up their fork, or until everyone at the table has been served. The exception is when your host tells you to go ahead while it's hot, in which case you should do exactly that.
Why it matters
A meal is something you share. Starting together is the small signal that the people matter more than the food. It takes a few moments, and it stops anyone being left to eat alone at the end.
How to do it well
- Keep your hands off the cutlery until the moment comes.
- At a large table, start once a few people near you have been served and the host has urged you on.
- If you're the host, say the words: "Please, don't wait." Your guests are waiting for you to say it.