Table Etiquette

The Place Setting

Below I will describe the formal place setting. The casual and informal place setting are self explanatory.

In the center of your place setting will be the plates and bowls. They will be stacked. The dish on the top will be for your first course and the dish underneath will be for your second course. A knife rest and/or name card may be included at your at place setting as well. You will also have a napkin, which you will unfold and place on your lap as soon as your have been seated. On the left side of your plates will be your forks (more on this topic later). Above your plates, there will be a cake fork facing to the right. Above that, will be a dessert spoon facing left. In the upper left corner of your place, there will be a bread plate with a butter knife. On the right side of your plate will be your knives. If you have the same number of knives as forks, that means that each knife accompanies each fork in the same position. To the right of your knives will be your teaspoon and a soup spoon. Finally, in the upper right corner of your place, you will have a water glass and a wine glass. Other glasses may be included. The will also be a tea cup for tea or coffee.

The formality of place settings can vary greatly: