Table manners and which fork to use

Teach: Table manners and which fork to use

What to say

Basic table manners come down to a few rules: napkin on your lap, use utensils from the outside in, bread plate on the left and drinks on the right, wait until everyone is served or the host starts, chew with your mouth closed, and keep the phone off the table. To show you are finished, lay your knife and fork side by side across the plate.

What to show, in order

1. Put your napkin on your lap when you sit down, and on your chair if you step away.
2. Use the utensils farthest from the plate first and work inward with each course.
3. Make a b with your left hand and a d with your right: bread plate on the left, drink on the right.
4. Wait until everyone has food, or the host starts, before you eat.
5. Pass dishes to the right, and pass salt and pepper together.
6. Take small bites, chew with your mouth closed, and put down your fork between bites while talking.
7. Keep your phone off the table and on silent.
8. When finished, place the knife and fork side by side on the plate, handles toward the lower right.

The check question

Ask: Which fork do you use first? Answer: The one farthest from the plate

From EveryManKnows. General information, not professional advice.