Table SettingandEtiquette

Why Dining Etiquette?Definition: Courtesy shown by

good manners at meals.Makes eating a pleasant

experience for everyone / shows consideration for others

Taking time to eat allows for proper digestion/health

Three Components of a Place Setting

Dinnerware◦Plates, cups, bowls, saucers,

platters and other serving pieces

Flatware◦Dinner knife; salad/dessert,

dinner fork; soup, dessert and teaspoons.

Glassware◦Water goblet, tumblers and

wine glasses,

Covera. Arrangement of a place setting for one person.

b. Informal: for everyday

c. Dessert CoverDessert plate and fork; teaspoon;

mug/cup

d. Formal Cover

Types of FlatwareDinner fork, knife

and teaspoonSoup spoon

◦Larger than teaspoon

Salad/dessert fork◦Smaller than dinner fork

Proper Dinnerware Placement

Dinner Plate (and most flatware) -1” from the table edgeMug or cup and saucer to right of spoons bowls

Dessert plate or soup/cereal bowl placed where center of dinner plate would be located

Proper Flatware Placement

Arranged in order of use from the outside in towards plate

Knives ◦ Next to plate

with cutting edges towards the plate

Proper Flatware Placement

Spoons◦ To the right of

the knife with bowls up

◦ Dessert spoon is sometimes placed above the center of the plate.

Proper Flatware Placement

Forks◦ Left of the

plate◦ Dessert fork

can be placed above the center of the plate

◦ Tines tips up

Proper Glassware PlacementWater glass

◦At the tip of the knife blade.

Placement of Napkin

Three Places◦Left of the forks◦Center on the dinner plate◦In the water goblet

Why?: When removed, should not disturb the flatware.

Common Rules of EtiquetteEngage in appropriate

conversations while dining. (Talk quietly, don’t criticize food)

Napkin◦Place on lap before starting to eat.

◦Cover your mouth and nose if you must cough or sneeze.

Common Rules of EtiquetteWhen eating with a small group:◦Wait until everyone is served before eating

Avoid talking with food in mouth.

Chew with mouth closed.

Common Rules of EtiquetteCut food into bite-size pieces◦As you eat, not all at once.

Sit up straight, feet and chair legs on the floor

Avoid leaning on elbows while eating.

Common Rules of EtiquetteUse knife to push food onto the fork.

Place used flatware on the plate.

Teaspoons for stirring hot drinks/ eating ice cream/puddings

Common Rules of EtiquetteEating a roll/bread

◦Break one piece off at a time, butter and eat.

◦Place butter on your own plate before buttering your bread/roll.