Proper dining etiquette includes placing silverware on the table correctly.
Whether you've been invited to a formal dinner party, or are planning a fancy dinner at your home, it's important to be aware of dining set etiquette as it relates to silverware. Knowing where forks, spoons and knives should be placed makes for a presentable table setting, and is an essential part of table manners.
Forks
Forks should always be placed to the left of the dinner plate. For most formal dining settings, there is a salad fork and a dinner fork. The dinner fork is larger, and is placed closest to the plate; the smaller salad fork is on the outside left of the plate, and to the left of the dinner fork. Some settings will also include a dessert fork; if this is the case, the dinner fork will be in the center, the dessert fork is closest to the dinner plate, and the salad fork is on the far left of the plate.
Spoons
The right of the dinner plate is for spoons. The soup spoon is placed on the far right of the plate; if there is a teaspoon, it is set to the left of the soup spoon. If a teaspoon will not be used for the meal, it is best not to include this utensil in the table setting, as etiquette suggests that additional silverware can confuse diners.
Knives
Knives are also positioned to the right of the dinner plate for formal place settings. The knife should be placed to the left of the spoon(s), so it is closest to the plate. A butter knife is traditionally used, but if the meal consists of items that are hard to cut (such as steak), a suitable knife may also be included in the place setting.
Eating with Silverware
When using the fork and knife at the dinner table, there are two styles that are appropriate. American-style dining etiquette indicates that the knife is in the diner's right hand and the fork is in the left, holding the food to be cut. A few pieces of the food should be cut into bite-size pieces; after this, the knife is placed on the plate with the blade facing inward, and the fork should be switched to the right hand for eating (the processed is reversed for those who are left-handed). For continental-style dining, the knife is in the right hand, but the fork remains in the left hand for eating, with the prongs of the fork curving downward.
Additional Information
After a diner has used a fork, spoon or knife, the utensils should not touch the table anymore; silverware should be placed on the side of the dinner plate or in the soup bowl when not in use. For an especially formal dinner, the silverware should be replaced with each course. When a diner is finished with a course, the knife should be placed on the plate with the blades facing inward, and the fork should rest on the plate with the prongs facing upward.
Tags: dinner plate, dinner fork, should placed, plate with, right hand