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Knowing Your Way around the Table…Proper Locations of Table Top Items and the Etiquette Surrounding Them

Many of us have mistakenly picked up the wrong fork or drank out of the wrong glass while dining. Therefore, I thought I’d compile some helpful information on what goes where and who’s responsible for it. (American Style Dinner Setting)

1. Napkin
Placed to the left of the fork with the fold to the left. Sometimes placed under the forks or on the plate. If white napkins are present on the table and you’re wearing black clothing, it’s proper to ask a waiter if he/she can get you a black napkin.

2. Salad Fork
If a salad fork is used, it’s located to the left of the dinner fork.

3. Dinner Fork
Placed to the left of the dinner plate. No more than three forks to the left of the plate.
An oyster fork always goes to the right of the soup spoon.

4. Dessert Fork
To the right of the larger dinner fork.

5. Bread Plate
Belongs just above the tip of the fork. A butter knife or spreader is placed horizontally on the bread plate. Bread should be broken into bite-sized pieces, not cut. Butter only the piece you are preparing to eat. When butter is served, put some on your bread plate and use as needed.

6. Dinner Plate
Always located in the center of the place setting. While eating keep your knife and fork on the sides of the plate (or open).  When finished put the knife and fork together (or closed). Typically on an angle, handles pointing toward 4 o’clock.

7. Dinner Knife
To the right of the plate. Sometimes there are multiple knives, perhaps for meat, fish and salad, in order of used from the outside in.

8. Tea Spoon
To the right of the dinner knife.

9. Tea Spoon
To the right of the other tea spoon.

10. Soup Bowl
To the right of the 2nd tea spoon, however may be placed on the plate holding the soup bowl of soup is served. Note: If you need to set your soup spoon down while dining, place it in the bowl.  Do not put it on the dish under the bowl until you are finished.

11. Cocktail Fork
Smaller fork all the way to the right side.

12. Water glass
Just above the tip of knife.

13. Red Wine Glass
To the right of the water glass

14. White Wine Glass
To the right of the red wine glass. A white wine glass is held on the stem to preserve the chill. It should be served at 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit.

15. Coffee Cup
If needed brought at time of service.

Dessert Spoon (Optional)
Above the dinner plate.

Utensil Overview

Use silverware from the outside in.
Utensils from left to right of plate: Salad fork, dinner fork, PLATE dinner knife, teaspoon, soup spoon, oyster fork.
 
Utensils from plate up: PLATE, dessert fork, dessert spoon

Some Helpful Hints…
• Use silverware from the outside in.

• Never cut more than three bites at one time.

• When passing main dishes, always pass to the right. If it’s a heavy item, you might offer to hold it so the person to your right can take a serving of the main dish.

• When finished, place silverware together (closed) on your plate, placed with the handles at four o’clock.

• If the wrong utensil is used, do not put the silverware back on the table. Be nonchalant and continue eating.

• When determining which bread plate and drink is your, use the B and D rule.
The bread plate is located to the left and top of the dinner plate (B for bread).  Your drink is located on the top right (D for drink).  By simply placing your hands in front of you and making a “b” and “d” with your fingers, it’s easy to tell which side your bread plate and drink are located.  Just don’t get caught doing this more than once, otherwise the host might think you’re just admiring a recent manicure.

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