Table Etiquette

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.

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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

When planning an afternoon tea, you want everything to be perfect. From the freshly laundered linens to the scrumptious edibles, tea says grace and repose even in its simplest forms. Remember that...

It's happened to all of us at one point or another. You go to a restaurant, order a pasta dish with shrimp, and then when it arrives you have to some how deal with the tails on the shrimp without...

This is a great subject to understand. Using flatware the right way will not only show your class, but it will also show your character. You will make a great first impression and conversation.

Using proper table setting techniques is not as common these days as dinner parties are becoming more casual. However, if you are called upon to set a proper table, you will find that there is a...

In how to set a table, you will learn the simple rules of where each piece of the dinner ensemble is placed. Learn where to put the forks, knife, spoon, glasses, napkins and more. Don't be...

Many of us know how to use a fork and what it looks like. However, do you know where to put the dinner, salad, and fish forks when setting the table? Here are a few steps to help you set a table...

In Brazil, meals are considered a time to spend with friends and family. More time is spent at the table during a Brazilian meal than an American one. Lunch is the big meal of the day and dinners...

Table manners are an important part of Italian etiquette. From a very early age, Italian children are taught how to follow proper manners when eating. In general, Italians prefer a more refined...

Using proper fork etiquette is an important part of practicing good table manners. The rules of proper fork etiquette, however, vary depending on where you are. In the U.S., American etiquette...

How to hold and use utensils is an important part of dining etiquette. There are two types of etiquette used throughout the Western world: American and Continental. If you are outside of the...

Manners are arguably the cornerstone of British society and table manners are no exception. Most Brits strictly follow table manners, as they are rigorously scrutinized in British culture,...

You can see the Continental style of eating throughout the world, especially when you're dining in European countries. To follow proper etiquette in this style, you keep both utensils in your...

American style dining is more formal than Continental, as its table etiquette requires that you put down your knife and transfer your fork to your right hand after you cut your food. Knowing how...

The proper use of tableware is an art that too frequently gets overlooked. But if you find yourself at a fancy dinner or power lunch, you'll be glad you took the time to learn. Practicing proper...

Many people become overwhelmed when sitting down at a table with multiple forks, spoons and knives. One false step and you've committed an etiquette faux pas. But using the right silverware when...

There is a proper etiquette for using a knife American style, learn all about proper dinner etiquette in this free video.

There is a proper etiquette for using a knife continental style, learn all about proper dinner etiquette in this free video.

Most people of the world outside of America use the continental dining style to handle their silverware during a meal. Also called “European” style, it’s not more proper than the zigzag Americans...

Whether preparing for a lunch interview or to meet the parents of your significant other, it's important that you exhibit proper table manners. A fairly basic, yet important element of dining...

You don't have to get flustered when presented with a formal table setting. Learning how the table is set, which fork to use and how to use a knife will help you use the right cutlery. Here are a...

Even the most well mannered diners can be sabotaged by fresh cherry tomatoes. These frequently appear in salads, snacks and appetizers. Following a few rules of etiquette will prevent cherry...