I never really know how to eat from a formal table setting. Do you start from the right, and with which fork?*

Question

come on, you guys. I know you know this. Which sequence? Even my boss, who's gone to countless dinners like this still doesn't know. Someone please share their knowledge.

Answer 1

You start with the utensils farthest from the right and left of your plate and work your way in until you've used the last utensil.Dessert forks and spoons sometimes arrive with the dessert plates.Depending on the formality of the dinner,the utensils always correspond to the course being served.For instance,let's say the first course is oysters;you will see that the farthest utensil is a little fork resting in a large spoon:use that fork.The next course is soup;use the large soup spoon that is the next farthest utensil away from the bowl/plate.Following that,there may be a meat course;simply use the knife and fork that are farthest away from the plate...notice that you are moving from the outside to the inside?

Answer 2

Start from the outside. Forks are on the left, knives and spoons on the right.

First fork is appetizer fork (or salad fork, depending on how fancy. If truly fancy, a chilled salad fork is delivered with the salad.) Second fork is for the main course, and small fork for dessert.

By the way, take a pat of butter with the butter knife and put it on your plate, not on your bread.

Do not slurp the wine.

Sit up straight and don't put your elbows on the table.

Answer 3

If you aren't sure of which fork to use, start on the outside right and work your way in. Salad forks are usually a bit shorter and might have three tines, while your dinner fork should have four and be the closest to the plate. Soup spoons are rounded, and if there is a tiny fork, it is for crab or seafood. Longer spoons are for sorbet or iced tea.

Answer 4

No flatware. Just use your hands. Okay, okay, start from the outside and work your way in. Items will be placed on either side of setting, can be placed across top, above plate, butter spoon in butter thingy, sometimes butter knife across butter dish. Forks left, knives and spoons right. Do you need to know which glasses and goblets, too?

Answer 5

Everyone so far are correct. Start from the outside and work your way inside with the eating utensils. Should you have a question just watch what utensils others at the table use!@

Answer 6

start on the outside and work your way in with each course. If it's a really fancy restaurant, the waiter will remove the appropriate utensils after each course.
Here's a handy tip: hold up your hands and touch your left index finger to your left thumb, with the other fingers straight up, and the same on your right. Your left hand will form a lower-case "b" for "bread" and your right hand will form a lower-case "d" for "drink"; it helps you remember to use the bread plate on your left and the drinking glass to your right.

Answer 7

You start with the outside fork, and work your way to the inside. should be a different fork for each course.

Answer 8

Start with the outside fork, thats for the salad.

Answer 9

You begin at the outside and work your way towards the plate provided you have several utensils at the place setting. Rule of thumb.

Answer 10

With utensils, start from the outside and work your way in.

Your dessert utensils are at the top of the plate.

Your butter plate is to your left.

Your drinking glasses are to your right.