table manners. basic table setting setting the table influences: the appearance of the food served...
TRANSCRIPT
TABLEMANNERS
Basic Table Setting
• Setting the table influences:
• the appearance of the food served
• the tone/feeling of the meal
• people feeling important
There are three components of a place setting:
• Dinnerware—plates, cups, bowls, saucers, platters and other serving pieces
• Flatware—butter, dinner and steak knives; salad/dessert, dinner forks; soup, dessert and teaspoons
• Glassware—water goblet, milk and
wine glasses, and sherbet glass
A Cover is:
• Cover - arrangement of a place setting for one person; dinner plate is generally in the middle of the cover. Allow 20 -24 inches of space for each cover.
• Set the table with what is needed for the meal. Flatware is arranged in the
order it is used, starting at the
outside and working toward
the center.
TABLESETTING RULES
1. Plate and silverware are placed one inch from
the edge of the table.
2. Knife to the right of the plate; blade toward
the plate.
3. Spoon to the right of the knife.
Tablesetting Rules, Continued
4. Fork(s) to the left of the plate.
5. Napkin to the left of the fork(s) with the
open corner toward you.
6. Salad plate above the fork(s)
and slightly to the left.
Tablesetting Rules, Continued
7. Water glass directly above the tip of the
knife. Other beverage glasses to the right
of the water glass and forward in a
diagonal line.
8. Cup and saucer to the right of
the spoon.
There are differences in flatware:
• Soup spoon—larger than teaspoon
• Salad/dessert fork—smaller than dinner fork
• Butter knife—shape and size smaller than dinner knife
Vocabulary
Etiquette – polite conduct that shows
respect and consideration for others
Flatware – the knives, forks and spoons you
eat with
Place setting – the dishes,
flatware, glasses and linens for
one person.
Make Meals Pleasant
Simple centerpiece
Serve foods in bowls or on plates, not from
Packages or jars.
Pleasing music, not a TV show.
Pleasant table talk.
Sitting At The Table
• Sit with good posture
• Keep your elbows off the table
Serving Food
• Use a serving fork or spoon, not your
flatware, to take food from a serving plate
or bowl.
• Wait until everyone is served
before starting to eat.
Using Place-setting Items
• Unfold your napkin on your lap.
• If there is more that one spoon or fork, use
the one on the outside first.
• When you’re not using the knife,
place it across the top of the
plate.
Eating
• Lift food to your mouth rather than
lowering your head toward the plate.
• Take small bites and eat slowly, chew with
your mouth closed.
• Let hot food cool before taking
a bite rather than blowing on it.
Eating, continued
• Eat everything on the fork or spoon at one
time.
• Use a piece of bread instead of your
fingers to push food onto a spoon
or fork.
• Drink your beverage when
you’re done swallowing food.
Handling Awkward Moments
• Remove fruit pits and fish bones from your
mouth discreetly, cover your mouth with
a napkin.
• Use a napkin to lightly wipe your
mouth if you need to, never for
blowing your nose.
Awkward Moments, continued
• Cover your mouth if you need to cough
or burp.
Finishing Up
• When you’re done, place your napkin
neatly to the left of your plate.
• Offer to clear the table and help with
cleanup.
Manners for eating out:
• Call ahead to reserve a table.
• Wait for the host/hostess to seat you
unless a sign says to seat yourself.
• Be patient and considerate with
the server.
Eating out, continued
• Quietly attract the servers attention with
a hand motion, a nod, or smile.
• If you receive the wrong order, politely
let the server know.
• Leave at least a 15% tip for the
server.
Eating Out, continued
• Talk quietly so that your conversation
won’t bother others.
• To talk to friends at another table, go to
their table. Keep your chat brief.
Information from
Duyff, Roberta Larson. Nutrition and Wellness. New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill, 2000.