How to Set a Table & Dining Etiquette

Proper table manners help you feel at ease and avoid faux-pas in certain social situations. Likewise, knowing how to properly set a dining table can add a touch of chic and elegance to any dinner. Understanding the use and positioning of silverware, glasses, plates and napkins can transform an ordinary dinner into a refined social event. You can learn proper dining etiquette and formal table settings without going to manner school; all you need is a tutorial and a little attention to detail. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Work from the outside in. This rule will not only help you set a table but will also help you decipher which fork to use in fancy dinner situations. Place the fork for the first course on the outside, then the fork for the second course and so on. Follow this rule for knives and spoons as well.

2

Meet your food halfway. You should never be hovering over your plate, but it is not proper etiquette to bring your fork away from the table and over your clothes to meet your mouth. Lean over half way, to the edge of the table, and bring your fork or spoon to your mouth.

3

Use charger plates and bowls for multiple courses. Ideally, you want to be able to lift up the used plate or bowl and have the next plate waiting underneath for the next course. This is why you often see a charger plate, dinner plate, appetizer plate and soup bowl all stacked on top of each other in a formal table setting. This helps you avoid having to go back for more plates and lay them out in front of your guests.

4

Put liquids on the right and solids on the left. This can often be confusing when setting a table or eating, but wine and water glasses should always be on the right. Bread plates or anything meant for a solid food that is not the main dish should go on the left.

5

Cut a piece of butter and put it on your plate, then rip off a piece of bread and butter it individually when you are ready to eat. Buttering your entire piece of bread and taking bites off of one large chunk is impolite.

6

Place your fork and knife together at three o'clock position on your plate to signify you have finished eating. Although it is not an obligation in the United States, doing so shows proper etiquette and table manners. In many countries, a waiter will not take your plate if you have not positioned your silverware to signify you have finished.