How to set a table

Teach: How to set a table

What to say

To set a table, put the plate in the middle of each place, forks to the left, knife to the right with the blade facing the plate, and spoon to the right of the knife. The glass sits above the knife and the napkin goes on the plate or to the left of the forks. Only set the pieces the meal needs, laid in the order they will be used, from the outside in.

What to show, in order

1. Count the courses so you set only the cutlery the meal needs.
2. Center a dinner plate in front of each chair, about an inch from the table edge.
3. Lay the forks on the left, the salad fork outside the dinner fork if there is a salad first.
4. Put the knife on the right, blade facing the plate, and the soup spoon to the right of the knife.
5. Place the water glass above the tip of the knife and any other glass just to its right.
6. Fold the napkin onto the plate or to the left of the forks.
7. Put a bread plate, if you use one, above the forks, with a small knife across it.
8. Keep the centerpiece low enough that people can see each other across the table.

The check question

Ask: Which side do the forks go on? Answer: The left

From EveryManKnows. General information, not professional advice.