Table Setting and Etiquette Quiz

Table Setting and Etiquette

• Table setting involves arranging tableware for serving and eating.
• A place setting includes dinnerware (plates, cups, saucers, bowls), glassware (glasses), flatware (forks, spoons, knives), napkins, and optional centerpieces/placemats/tablecloths.
• Each person requires a place setting.
• Allow 20-24 inches for a place setting, with the dinner plate in the center.
• A place setting consists of three main components: dinnerware, flatware, and glassware.

Dinnerware

• Dinnerware includes plates, cups, bowls, saucers, and platters.
• Serving pieces are part of dinnerware.
• Flatware includes knives (butter, dinner, steak), forks (salad/dessert, dinner, soup), and spoons (soup, dessert).
• Knives, forks, and spoons are categorized by their size and use, for example, butter knife, dinner fork.

Glassware

• Glassware includes water goblets, milk glasses, wine glasses, and sherbet glasses.

Proper Dinnerware Placement

• Dinner plate is 1 inch from the table edge.
• Bread/butter plate is placed above and to the left of the salad plate.

Proper Flatware Placement

• Utensils are placed to the left and right of the plate.
• Forks are on the left, knives on the right.
• Utensil handles are lined up and the same level with the plate and edge.
• Dessert utensils can be placed above the main utensils.

Glassware Placement

• Water goblets are placed to the right of the dinner plates.
• Other beverage glasses are placed right of the water goblet, slightly forward and diagonally.
• Cups and saucers are placed to the lower right.

Table Napkin Placement

• Place napkins to the left of the forks.
• Center the napkin on the dinner plate to avoid disturbing flatware.

Basic Place Setting (Formal/Informal)

• Forks are to the left of the plate.
• Knife is to the right of the plate.
• Spoons are to the right of the knife.
• Dinner plates are in the center.
• Napkins are placed to the left of the forks.
• Basic place setting is based on the order of courses (soup, salad, entree, dessert).

Additional Etiquette Points (Informal)

• Salad plate is below and to the left.
• Soup bowl is above the dinner plate or separate.
• Bread plates are above the forks

Proper Eating

• Chew with closed mouth.
• Do not talk while eating.
• Good eating etiquette (no slurping, finger licking, belching).

Proper Posture

• Do not lean on the table.
• Gentleman waits for ladies before sitting, standing, or leaving the table

Hand Food

• Acceptable to use hands for breads, hors d'oeuvres (cheese & crackers, chicken wings), and other finger foods (tacos, mini-burgers, egg rolls)

Napkin Etiquette

• Place on lap before starting to eat.
• Cover mouth and nose if necessary.
• Leave on chair if leaving the table and returning.
• Leave on the left of the dinner plate when finished.

Tipping Etiquette

• 15-20% of total bill for good service
• Tip at restaurants, beauty salons.

Cell Phone Etiquette

• Turn off or to vibrate.
• Avoid checking phone at the table.
• Keep voice down when talking and use cell phones politely in public.