Here's a quick guide to a formal table arrangement:



A. Start by placing a plate in front of each chair. To the left and closest to the plate, position the dinner fork. To the left of the dinner fork goes the salad fork.

B. Closest to the right side of the plate is the dinner knife. To the right of the dinner knife is the soup spoon. To the right of the soup spoon is the seafood fork.

C. The napkin is beautifully folded on the dinner place.

D. Just in front of the plate you will place the dessert fork and spoon at a right angle to the other knives and forks. The fork closest to the plate.

E. Just in front of, and to the left of the dinner plate is the bread plate, with the butter knife placed on top of the plate. Just in front of the bread plate are individual salt and pepper shakers.

F. In front of the dinner plate and to the right are the drinking glasses. A formal table might have four glasses of different sizes arraigned from tallest to shortest. They might include a sherry glass, white wine glass, red wine glass and water goblet.

G. Diners should use the correctly placed knives and forks from the outside in.

There you have the standard setting for a formal table. Of course, this guide can be the basis for any type of dinner. For something less than a formal dinner just maintain the placement, but subtract those items you won't be needing... like all those wine glasses and specialized forks and spoons.

Here's a tip for remembering how to place all the items that go just above the dinner plate. Everything on the right of the plate is for drinking. Everything on the left is for eating.

Here are a few rules to keep in mind as you are enjoying your dinner. When you have finished eating, leave your plate where it is. Don't push it away. Lay your knife and fork diagonally across the plate, side-by-side as if they are pointing to the numbers 10 and 4 on an imaginary clock.

As the meal begins the proper etiquette suggests that you place your napkin in your lap immediately after the last person has been seated at your table. If you are provided with a large napkin, put the fold toward your waist.

If you find you must leave the dinner table during the meal just place the napkin on your chair or to the left of your plate. When you have completed the meal, place your napkin to the right of the plate.

Dinner guest should begin eating only after everyone has been served. Bread or rolls should be broken into small pieces. Then apply butter to only one or two bites at a time.

Butter should be taken from the butter dish with the butter knife and placed on the bread plate. From the plate it is applied to the bread.

Always pass food to the right.

You've put a great deal of time and thought into furnishing and decorating your dining room. Good table manners should be the finishing touch.