[drb311]

"I see people put their forks, etc, on tables"

What? If you can't put your forks on the table where can you put them?

I always put my fork on the table, that's what the tables for.

How do you lay your table?!

[nextweek2]

Forks are often wrapped or placed on a napkin you can then lean them against the plate whilst you're eating.

A posh restaurant would have a table cloth that would be cleaned daily with less harmful chemicals.

[donutz]

Wouldn't the napkin be touchin the table then? Or do you ask for a fresh napkin so you don't have to use the one from the table? And ask about the storage of the napkins and silverware, in comparison to any cleaning solutions or other chemicals?

[potatosoup]

Typical setting would be on top of a plate, on top of a napkin, wrapped in a napkin, etc., never directly onto a table surface.