Table Setting Etiquette ExplainedA general guideline in etiquette proper table setting.

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Everything must be geometrically spaced. For example, the centerpiece is in the actual center,
the places at equal distance, and all utensils balanced. Adapted and Adjusted from Emily Post on Etiquette . A
formal place setting consists of:

Service plate positioned so that patterns of the place face the diner (ignore it if it is white, or get
white plates to make your life easier)

1. Butter plate should be placed above the forks at the left hand side of the place setting
2. Wine glasses, positioned according to size
3. Salad fork, placed directly to the left of the plate, assuming salad is served with or after
the entree
4. If salad is served as a first course, the salad fork is placed to the left or the dinner fork)
basic differences in Continental and American style.
5. Meat fork, positioned to the left of the salad fork.
6. Fish fork, positioned to the left of the meat fork. Since it is used first, it is the farthest
from the place as we work outside in.
7. Salad knife, just to the right of the plate (as noted above, the knife placed to the right of
the salad knife)
8. Fish knife, positioned to the right of the meat knife
9. Butter knife, positioned diagonally at the top of the butter plate
10. Soup spoon and/or fruit spoon placed outside the knives.
11. Oyster fork, if shellfish is to be served, beyond the spoons. This is the only fork ever
placed on the right
12. And don't forget the napkins!

P.s. Usually there are no more than three forks on the table, with the exception of oysters being
served, which would make the oyster fork a forth fork.

If more than three courses are served before dessert, therefore, the fork for the fourth course is
brought in with the course, or the salad fork and knife may be omitted in the beginning and
brought in when salad is served.

For All Your Elegant Dinner Parties At HomeMake your dining experience at home similar to
a restaurant! It is essential when you are planning a romantic dinner or your elegant dinner
party.

Etiquette expert of Etiquette Now, Rebecca Black, instructs how to set a proper table and which
utensil to use. Important tip: Etiquette is should make sense and be logical. dessert spoons and
forks are brought in on the dessert plate just before dessert is served.Wrong Table Setting

An interesting personal study. I've developed a habit when I go to restaurants...I study its table
setting etiquette. They are minor details but this is what distinguishes the fine restaurants. P.s.
Don't take this knowledge too seriously and reprimand the waiter!