Table Setting Etiquette 101:
Utensils are placed in order of use from the outside in.
Knives (except for butter knife) are always placed to the right of plate.
Forks (except for oyster fork, which is placed to the right of the spoons) are always on the left.
Dessert utensils are placed above main plate, spoon on the top, with its handle facing the right. The fork is placed under the spoon, with its handle facing left of place setting.
Knife blades always face you and your plate. It may be considered offensive to point blade at another diner.
Bread plate is on left side of main plate, and glasses are on right side. Water glass always goes above knives. Wine and other glasses are placed in order of use, from the farthest right toward the inside of the place setting. Bread is not considered a course but, if served, use a bread plate and butter knife.
A beverage is not considered a course, but certain wines may be served to match certain courses.
Napkins are placed to left of forks or on service plate.
Avoid cluttering place setting.
Only place utensils to be used. For example, if you are serving ice cream for dessert, only dessert spoon is necessary. You do not need to place a dessert fork as well.
If using a centerpiece, make sure it is no higher than about seven inches so diners can still make eye contact with each other.
Place Setting Memory Tips: When you read your place setting from left to right, you see BMW - Bread, Meal, Water.
The acronym FOrKS helps you remember that: The Fork is on the left, O is for the plate in the center, then comes the Knife, and Spoon on the right.
The fingers on your left hand form a 'b' and the fingers on your right hand form a 'd' to remind you that the bread is on your left, and your drink is on your right.
