I am so dense, I know this but I forget.
2006-09-26 13:59:58 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Outside---always work form the outside in.
2006-09-26 14:01:12 · answer #1 · answered by Baby #1 born August 2009 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Assuming you are being served in courses, when the salad arrives, the fork on the outside is the one. The forks are always laid out in order of the courses to come.
In a more casual setting, when all the food comes at one time, the smaller fork is the salad fork.
If there is a fork set above the plate ( which is not correct, but it happens) that one is your dessert fork.
There are many etiquette sites on line that will instruct you in these (needlessly pretentious) standards.
When in doubt, dont touch any of them till your host / hostess picks theirs up.
2006-09-26 21:04:27 · answer #2 · answered by Clarkie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is etiquette when using silverware set in a formal setting to use the outer most fork on the setting for the salad and work your way towards the plate as you dine...each course should have a seperate utensil.
2006-09-26 21:01:38 · answer #3 · answered by Country Girl for Life 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it's to the right of the larger forks and it is typically smaller - but not always the smallest - that would be the shrimp/shellsich fork, then if there is one with really funky looking tines (not straight and "normal) it's a fish fork.
if there are two forks of the same size - work from the outside in. when multiple forks/knives are offered, always lay it on the plate when you are fishined so it's removed with the course.
2006-09-26 21:14:54 · answer #4 · answered by Marysia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Always work from the outside in. If your in doubt, make conversation and watch someone else. Also, If it's REALLY formal and you see a fork and/or spoon at the top of you plate - it's for dessert! Hope this helps.
2006-09-26 21:05:14 · answer #5 · answered by risa131313 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No disrespect intended, but does it really F^%#ING matter?! A fork is JUST A FORK! Just as long as you're not eating salad with a spoon or your bare hands, eating it with ANY kind of fork is okay!
2006-09-27 00:25:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The best rule of thumb is to work from the outside in..... so if there are 2 forks, the one furthest away from your plate is for the salad and the spoon furthest away from your plate is for the soup
2006-09-26 21:01:59 · answer #7 · answered by net_at_nite 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If there are two, the smaller one on the far left. However, if there are more courses, you follow the silverware. You use it from the outside in to the center of the plate. You should never be reaching over one piece of silverware to get to the other. Also, the number of tines differ for each course.
2006-09-26 21:17:38 · answer #8 · answered by Flutterby 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as a rule you work from the outside of a place setting in
small fork then big fork for the main meal
2006-09-26 21:02:02 · answer #9 · answered by Blondie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the short 3 prong one...smaller than the dinner fork, bigger than a fancydessert fork.....unless you're course dining. if you're course dining it's whichever is on the outside. each piece there is planned, so go in order there even if you think it's wrong...i made that mistake before, lol
2006-09-26 21:05:12 · answer #10 · answered by jess l 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the smaller one. You work your way in from the outside. usually there is an orderve fork (WHY THE HELL CANT I SPELL THAT), and sometimes a crab/lobster fork, salad fork, dinner fork, and desert fork, theyre generally in order from outside in.
2006-09-26 21:03:05 · answer #11 · answered by amosunknown 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋