Reading a place setting and using a napkin

A formal table can look like a puzzle. Once you know its logic, you will never hesitate again.

The layout

• Forks on the left, knives and spoons on the right. Knife blades face the plate.
• Bread plate: top left, with a small butter knife across it.
• Glasses: top right, above the knives. The water glass sits directly above the knives, other glasses to its right in order of use.
• Memory trick: solids to the left, liquids to the right.
• Never more than three of any one utensil is laid at once.
• Dessert cutlery may be laid above the plate, or brought with the dessert plate at a very formal dinner.

Outside in

• Use the cutlery furthest from the plate first, and work inwards course by course.
• If you are unsure, wait a moment and watch the host.

The napkin

• Place it on your lap, folded in half, soon after you sit down. As a guest, it is gracious to wait for the host to do it first.
• Dab the corners of your mouth; never wipe hard, clean cutlery with it or blow your nose on it.
• Leaving the table temporarily: the Emily Post Institute says fold it loosely and place it to the left of your plate. Many other experts say place it on your chair seat. Both are accepted; follow your hosts.
• At the end of the meal, place it loosely folded to the left of your plate, stains hidden. Never put it on your plate.