Setting up a table used to be a basic dining etiquette knowledge in the earlier days. However, as the world has become a fast and busy place for people, knowing how to set the table has become more special knowledge.
So, if you have been given the task of hosting a Thanksgiving party table or an informal dinner party.
You need to know about basic dining etiquette. The first step towards that is knowing where to place tableware.
Setting the Table – Why is it even necessary?
One might wonder why it is essential to know how to position plates and glasses on the table. After all, good food tastes good either way. Here’s the reason – a properly set table signals guests how important they are to you at the moment.
It sets the guiding tone for the event you are preparing for, a hint that lets guests know that it is your pleasure to dine with them. Besides that, a correctly set dining table looks better on its own.
The Basics of Setting a Basic Dining Etiquette
The rules of table setting are pretty simple, and it all begins with the position of the cutlery. If you have a plate in front of you, it should be surrounded by different cutlery options like spoons, knives, and forks.
The basic table etiquette is to place these on each side of a plate for simple meals. In the case of a long or big meal, there are more than one type and size of each cutlery item.
Some basic dining etiquette setting instructions are –
- First things first – place the placemat on the table.
- The position of the basic dining etiquette should be at the center of the placemat.
- You can place a napkin on the left-hand side of the dining plate.
- The right-hand side of the dining plate should have the knife pointing inwards.
- The spoon should be placed on the right of the knife.
- Remember that the spoon and knife bottoms should not extend beyond the dining plate.
- Finally, you can put the water glass slightly above the dining plate between the plate and the cutlery.
For a more formal appeal, one can place the napkin on the dining plate in a basic table setting.
Setting a Casual Dining Table
A casual dining table is for informal events like a get-together party or a casual dinner party. Knowing how to set a casual dining table is quite similar to a basic table setting. However, there are some differences, like adding a soup bowl and a dining plate for dinner.
As a basic rule of thumb, one should only set the glassware, tableware, and flatware that they are going to use. There are some basic things to remember, like for salad courses, having a proper fork is mandatory.
Also, it is not essential to bring red wine glasses to serve white wine. And if the meal is not having a soup course, it is not necessary to include a soup bowl or spoon.
Wrapping Up
Whether you are hosting a casual dinner party or a formal dining event, it is essential to know how to serve tableware. Although the differences between each table setup are slightly different, they still are unique in their ways.
