Etiquette

• Etiquette – prescribed forms of conduct in polite society– French – prescribed routine, label or

ticket, from expected conduct in King Louis’ Court

– Netiquette – proper conduct for email– Cell phone etiquette– Business etiquette

Table Appointments• Items need at the table to serve the meal.

• Dinnerware – plates, cups, saucers, and bowls including china, stoneware, earthenware, pottery and glass-ceramic

• Flatware – a.k.a. “silverware” – forks, knives and spoons. Not always made from silver, but usually stainless steel. The fork was the last flatware item to develop in 1800s.

Table Appointments, Cont.• Beverageware – glassware

– Tumblers – do not have stems

– Stemware – has three parts: bowl, stem and foot and include water glasses, wine glasses, etc.

• Holloware – includes bowls and tureens, used to serve food, and pitchers and pots used to serve beverages.

Table Appointments, Cont• Cover – The space that holds the tableware

needed by one person. 24 inches. A guest should be able to tell which appointments are his or hers.

• Place setting – includes the dinnerware and flatware used by one person.

When Setting the Table

• The occasion, style of service, size of the table , and menu determine how to set the table

• Only “set” the appointments needed for the menu. No coffee or dessert = no teaspoon.

• Handle all tableware without touching the eating surfaces.

When Setting the Table

• Place dinner plate in center of cover, 1 inch from edge of table.

• Place flatware in order of used working from the outside toward the plate.

• Forks on the left, knife and spoons on right.

• Turn knife blade toward the plate.

• Dessert spoon and dessert fork above the plate.

When Setting the Table

• Napkin to left of forks, with corner at bottom-right for ease of opening.

• Place salad plate to left of dinner plate above the napkin. If using salad plate, use salad fork.

• Place bread and butter plate above the dinner plate to the right of the salad plate.

When Setting the Table

• Place water glass above tip of knife.

• Other glasses descend to the right below the water glass

• Cup & saucer to right of knife and spoon.