Table Etiquette

A table setting includes all the flatware, stemware and dishes that will be used at the meal. Placement is simple and relatively similar for both basic and formal situations.

Familiarizing yourself with proper dinnerware is helpful not only when you dine out, but also when you set your own table. Generally, there are three types of settings: basic, informal and...

You're sitting at a restaurant in a beautiful dinner setting surrounded by flickering candles and elegance. The way you move, act and even use your table napkin all add to the ambiance. The...

Modern diners may take napkins for granted, not realizing the revolutionary changes this dining item has experienced over the years. Developed in a vast array of styles, and for some varying...

A napkin folded in half is entirely forgettable, but one folded into a fan, rose, candle or pyramid shape will be worth remembering. The way you present place settings at a business lunch or...

A busboy's main function is to serve food, clear tables, pour and refill water glasses, set tables and help the restaurant wait staff as needed. Other terms for busboy include busser, dining room...

Though banquet serving can seem easy for most experienced wait staff, serving etiquette at banquet events is especially important. Banquet catering is often used at the most important events of...

Are you the kind of person who gets in an argument and just keeps digging a hole and flaring the whole thing until it blows up into something horrific? With this guide I will teach you the basics...

German and American table manners have a lot of similarities but also many differences. This article explains how to make a good impression when dining in Germany.

Eating out is a great American past time, a fantastic way to spend time with friends, try new foods or perhaps fall in love. Regardless of the occasion, these tips will help you have a fantastic...

Have you ever been on a hot date at some exotic restaurant that made you gag? Ever been invited over to the in-laws' to find the table covered in things you wouldn't feed your dog? We are often...

Table etiquette is elusive. With all its dos and don'ts, it's hard to memorize all the faux pas. Most people know the bare essentials: don't talk with your mouth full, keep your elbows off the...

Flatware or silverware are the utensils used to butter your bread, serve the meal and lift the food from your plate to your mouth. In other words flatware consists of forks, knives, spoons and...

Extensive volumes have been written on formal place settings, but that's not what these instructions are for. These instructions explain how to set the table in a layout commonly used for family...

The dining room table is a place where family and friends convene to eat, talk and entertain. In the Middle Ages, the size and positioning of the tables were used to denote social class among...

Fisherman like to tell stories about those monstrous catfish they've battled and reeled in over the years, and while many of those stories may seem unbelievable, the fishermen who tell them often...

The custom of touching glasses before drinking has become a part of the ritual toasting at group gatherings. This simple gesture actually serves many purposes that are meant to enhance both the...

The rules of formal table etiquette can seem complicated and overwhelming. Bear in mind that the subtle rules of dining are not just an exercise in frustration. Etiquette rules that specify the...

Nonstick cooking pans revolutionized the kitchen by providing a way to cook without having food stick to the surface. While they are easy to use and easy to clean up most of the time, when...

Although it might be fun to eat like a pirate, stabbing your food on the end of a knife all willy-nilly, this sort of dining habit would be frowned upon by most society. When alone, most people...

If you are planning a fancy dinner party, silverware placement is very important in detailing a eloquent dinner. There are a ton of rules of etiquette; however, silverware placement has a...

Because of constant use, a kitchen counter can easily become messy and chaotic. A cluttered counter will discourage you from cooking and fully enjoying your kitchen. If you have this issue, set...

It seems that nowadays, people are not as mindful of their manners as they used to be. It is important to have manners because it conveys to other people that you respect yourself and the people...

Proper etiquette and manners are important when having dinner at a restaurant or as a guest in someone's home. Knowing what to do with your napkin during the meal will help you avoid an awkward...

Sometimes, simple decorations are best when it comes to a dining room table. You can go traditional with the table, such as with a formal place setting, or you can decorate it with napkins,...

How to Treat Burps. We've all done it, one moment your sitting there enjoying a meal then you burp. You look around and see your mothers hand coming for revenge. So how to stop this and still...

Given the range of choices available in stemware, selecting the proper pieces to set at a table can be daunting for a host. With a little study, both stemware selection and table placement are...

From the formal to the whimsical, cheese knives and cutting boards are always useful serving tools. Usually much smaller than a full-sized bread or cutting knife, the etiquette surrounding these...

Sterling silver objects contain silver and another metal, which helps the object retain its shape, since pure silver is soft and easily shaped. Silver-plated items, compared to sterling objects...

Demonstrating good manners can make a big difference in business and social settings. Dining is one area in which the rules can be confusing, but learning what to do with your napkin is quick and...

While I like restaurants and fast food joints as much as the next guy, sometimes it is nice to have a nice dinner at home. Occasionally, that nice dinner is a more formal affair. If you intend to...

Ordering coffee at a coffee bar in Italy can be a very interesting cultural experience, but somewhat daunting if you're not exactly sure how to do it.

Does the fork go on the left or the right? I have two forks at my place; which do I use first? In our casual world, the thought of setting a proper table seems archaic. However, there are...

Quarters, or speed quarters is probably the most fun you can have playing a drinking game. Obviously use caution when drinking alcohol. This article tells you everything you need, and all the...

Twirling spaghetti on a fork is something many people find to be very tricky. Read this article, and it will become a lot easier.

If you just got a new job at a fancy restaurant, or you're catering an event or hosting a dinner party, knowing how to properly set a table is the first rule in table etiquette.

Dining out should be a delightful experience for you and for guests seated around you. Here are some guidelines for how to behave when your out in public eating.

Anyone who has been a fan of the HBO drama, The Sopranos, has hungrily watched Tony’s family eat their Sunday dinners of spaghetti and meatballs with great gusto. This article will explain how to...

Although long forgotten, there is a certain etiquette that goes with a long pasta dinner. It varies a little from culture to culture but here are the basics.

A fine dining restaurant expects its customers to have good table manners. Good table manners are an important part of life. The manners you have while dining are noticed by others. These tips...

Perhaps you rarely give a thought to the plate on which your meal is served, especially if you happen to be eating from a paper plate. Today there is a huge selection of dinnerware ranging from...

When hosting a large dinner, make sure that you have all of the proper dishes and eating utensils to make the experience as enjoyable as possible. Appropriate dinnerware is essential for parties...

Different restaurants come with different cuisines, customs and price ranges as well as different menu styles. A menu is the most visible and most important part of a restaurant's concept--its...

Everything must be properly spaced for a table setting. The centerpiece must be at the exact center of the table, and the place settings should be spaced equally away from each other. Geometric...

Buffets are perfect for feeding large groups of people, whether for a party or an everyday meal. Decorate your buffet table for added ambience and include centerpieces as part of the decor. Use...

A "pet peeve" is a minor annoyance that a person identifies as particularly annoying to them, to a greater degree than others may find it. Well, so much for the dictionary description -...

For a more personal touch and to save money, you can make do-it-yourself decorations for a baby shower. Something as common as a centerpiece at the shower can create table conversation and show...

Japanese food is one of the most exquisite cuisines in the world. The perfect marriage of taste and presentation creates an art form, rather than a simple gastronomical experience. Table etiquette...

Corkage is the fee that is charged by a restaurant when you bring your own bottle of wine. Charges can be anywhere from $7 to $25, though the fee may be waived if you order a second bottle from...