Collin Anderson

If you are asked to pass a dish, you should pass to your right. It is acceptable to pass to the person directly to your left if they ask you to. Do not serve yourself first. When another diner asks for an item to be passed only the person nearest the desired item should reach for it. Remember, salt and pepper are always passed together, even if only one was requested. If you need an item from the table that is not closest to you, ask for another diner to pass it to you rather than reaching across the table.

An introduction to dining etiquette