As an eight-year-old watching Titanic for the first time, I distinctly recall Kathy Bates telling Jack to "work from the outside in" at the formal first-class dinner he was invited to. That is where I first learned this crucial etiquette rule and I've never forgotten it.
In case you need a refresher or if I'm your Kathy Bates, here is a simple guide to setting a formal dining table.
As always, after the jump.
The diagram below is rather self-explanatory and I like how clear it makes things. A couple of notes, however:
Table setting etiquette works completely on a logic basis: if you need an additional knife for the salad or starter course, place it closer to the edge. Once you learn the essentials, you'll be able to set a formal table with confidence.
SR Tip: To remember on which side the bread plates and drink glasses go, form a circle with the thumb and index finger of both hands. Straighten out the rest of your fingers and a "b" should form on the left side and a "d" on the right.
Before dessert is served, remove all excess plates, stemware and silverware. Only the water glass, dessert and tea silverware and napkin should remain.
SR Tip: To indicate that you have completed each course, place your silverware diagonally across the plate (Not in an X) with handles at 4:00. The blade of the knife should face the inside. To indicate you are taking a break from your meal, cross cutlery in an X, again with knife blade facing in.
Was this guide helpful? Do you have any other tips or stories? Let us know in the comments!
In case you need a refresher or if I'm your Kathy Bates, here is a simple guide to setting a formal dining table.
As always, after the jump.
The diagram below is rather self-explanatory and I like how clear it makes things. A couple of notes, however:
- Some people choose to place the teaspoon and dessert fork above the plate. Both methods are acceptable but I prefer if the dessert cutlery is above the plate. It creates less confusion.
- If you're having your soup brought in poured rather than pouring from the table, set the napkin on the charger or plate instead.
- For the stemware, I would place the water glass right above the dinner knife with the white wine glass to its direct right. The red wine glass should go above them both in the center.
SR Tip: When placing the dessert fork and teaspoon above the plate, the tines of the fork should face right and the teaspoon should face left.
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SR Tip: To remember on which side the bread plates and drink glasses go, form a circle with the thumb and index finger of both hands. Straighten out the rest of your fingers and a "b" should form on the left side and a "d" on the right.
Before dessert is served, remove all excess plates, stemware and silverware. Only the water glass, dessert and tea silverware and napkin should remain.
SR Tip: To indicate that you have completed each course, place your silverware diagonally across the plate (Not in an X) with handles at 4:00. The blade of the knife should face the inside. To indicate you are taking a break from your meal, cross cutlery in an X, again with knife blade facing in.
Was this guide helpful? Do you have any other tips or stories? Let us know in the comments!
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