Table Setting Etiquette

If you are to arrange a formal meal or dinner, you need to set the table according to proper etiquette. However, table settings are simply meant to help people find their cutlery at an easy reach in order to enjoy their meal comfortably. Here are simple rules and standards used for appropriate table settings.

Basic Table Setting
If you are setting a formal dinner table, you will need all the required kitchen cutlery and glass / china ware. The following are the things that you will require when setting a table for formal lunch or dinner.

• 2 types of plates (dinner, bread and butter plate)
• 3 types of forks (salad, dinner, dessert or cake fork)
• 3 types of spoons (tea, soup, dessert spoon)
• 2 types of knives (dinner, bread knife)
• 3 types of glasses (water, wine, liqueur glass)
• Cup and saucer
• Napkin

All the above mentioned things will be required when having a full course formal meal. However, cup and saucer are the only wares that can be considered as optional, i.e., they will be required only if you are serving coffee after meals.

How to Set a Table
The first and foremost thing to remember is not to keep table setting the last thing in your cards when planning a dinner, as proper table setting requires time (not a lot of, though). Secondly, it is necessary to count the exact number of people before making an arrangement.

• A tablecloth is very important factor for appropriate table arrangement and should not be ignored. You will require a table that ends 2-3 feet above the ground for a sit-down dinner, whereas, for a buffet dinner, a full length tablecloth, that reaches the ground, is required.
• Secondly, start with the dinner plate. Make a rough arrangement with the dinner plates around the complete table.
• Considering the dinner plate as a center, starting with dessert fork to the immediate left of the dinner plate, place dinner fork and then the salad fork.
• Place the bread and butter plate with the respective knife towards top left of the dinner plate; just above the forks.
• Now towards the right side, place the dinner to immediate right of the plate, then the tea spoon and finally the soup spoon to the extreme right.
• Place the glasses in the order of water glass, wine glass and liqueur glass respectively at the top right of the dinner plate; just above the knife and spoons.
• Dessert spoons, cake forks, cup and saucer should be placed on the immediate top of the dinner plate.
• Soup bowl needs to be placed on the dinner plate itself as it is taken away once the first course is over.
• Finally, you can place the folded napkin on the dinner plate, in the soup bowl or in the left side, next to the forks.
• Lastly, you can place a centerpiece on the table with fresh flowers to make the table more attractive.

Along with these table setting etiquette, one should also follow proper dining etiquette when having a formal dinner. Remember the basic example of using the cutlery (silverware), start with the outermost thing and work your way in. If not, you can always wait and watch the host using his cutlery and follow suit, to avoid social embarrassment.