Know Your Place (Settings)

I love dinner parties.  There are few things better than gathering friends and family around a table to enjoying great food.  I recently went to a friend's home and she did an amazing job; I would almost say it was over the top.  It was way more than just salad, dinner and dessert.  She was absolutely showing her appreciation for us through food and ambiance.  The only issue was that many of us weren't expecting this and hadn't brushed up on our table manners, including how to dissect a formal table setting.

Don't let this be your Everest

Most of us just played "Follow the Leader" when it came time to choose a utensil, but it got me thinking that a quick recap on place settings could be in order...


Here are some simple rules to follow....

courtesy; www.dummies.com

At a formal table

Start by putting your napkin on your lap.  It'll be one less thing to think about

and it will free up some space in front of you. 

Once you look your menu card, slide it under your plates

If you are at a table where you don't know everyone, turn your

place card around so other can see it, this way they won't have

to ask you your name.

Take a look at your menu card and make a mental note of how many courses will be served.

If the number of your utensils match the number of courses discard one utensil at the end

of each course.

When in doubt work from the outside toward your plate when it comes to utensils. 

courtesy; www.dummies.com