How Do You Keep Cutlery on the Table?

Cutlery is kept on the table primarily through careful placement and adherence to established dining etiquette. Here's a breakdown of how to properly keep cutlery on the table, both before and during a meal:

Pre-Meal Cutlery Placement

The initial setup is crucial for keeping cutlery organized and accessible.

• Order of Use: Place your cutlery in the order you'll use it, working from the outside in with each course. This helps prevent confusion and ensures you have the right utensil at the right time.
• Forks: Forks are placed to the left of the plate. If there are multiple forks, the salad fork goes on the outside, followed by the dinner fork.
• Knives: Knives are placed to the right of the plate, with the blade edge facing inwards towards the plate.
• Spoons: Soup spoons (if needed) are placed to the right of the knives. Dessert spoons and forks are sometimes placed above the plate horizontally or brought out with the dessert course.
• Spacing: Leave adequate space between each utensil to avoid clutter and ensure easy handling.

During-Meal Cutlery Etiquette

Knowing what to do with your cutlery during and after eating each course is just as important.

• Resting Position: When taking a break between bites, rest your knife and fork on your plate. Position them so they don't slip off and are angled inwards towards each other, but not touching.
• Finished Position: When you have finished eating a course, place your knife and fork side by side, angled slightly to the right, on your plate. This signals to the waitstaff that you are done and your plate can be removed. The exact angle can subtly vary based on regional customs.
• Don't Leave on the Table: Avoid placing used cutlery directly on the table. This is considered impolite. Always rest it on your plate.
• Soup Spoon Placement: When finished with your soup, leave the spoon in the bowl, or on the underplate, but not resting on the table.

Table Example

You can visualize a standard table setting as follows:

Why is this Important?

Proper cutlery placement and etiquette demonstrate respect for your host and fellow diners. It also contributes to a more pleasant and organized dining experience.