How to Set a Table With Flatware
Setting the table properly adds a touch of elegance to an everyday meal or a special dinner party. Over the years, American custom has evolved to a standard arrangement of flatware that makes finding what you need easier as you dine. For everyday meals, you only need a knife, fork and spoon, though special occasions or dishes may call for additional flatware. Laying out the flatware properly is a good chore for small children to help with getting dinner on the table. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Lay the knife to the right of the plate, with the curved edge pointing toward the plate. Most Americans, being right-handed, pick up the knife with their right hand to cut meat or spread butter, so placing the knife here puts it within easy reach.
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Set the spoon beside the knife. In this position, the spoon is ready to be picked up in the right hand.
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Place the fork to the left of the plate. When Americans cut into a piece of meat, they pick up the knife in the right hand and the fork in the left. After the meat is cut, they transfer the fork to the right hand to eat. The fork starts at the left of the plate to be ready for cutting the meat.
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Lay the soup spoon to the right of the teaspoon, if you are serving soup. Soup is usually served as a first or second course, so placing the spoon on the outside of the place setting keeps it handy.
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Set the salad fork to the left of the dinner fork. As with soup, in America, salad makes up one of the earlier courses in a formal meal. A diner can pick up the salad fork to eat without disturbing the rest of the place setting.
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References
- Photo Credit Red table setting with wine image by jeanniner9 from Fotolia.com
