What is a general rule about using a fork or a spoon?

The basic rule is: Utensils are placed in the order of use; that is, from the outside in. A second rule, with only a few exceptions, is: Forks go to the left of the plate, and knives and spoons go to the right. And finally, only set the table with utensils you will use. No soup; no soup spoon.

What are the two accepted styles of cutlery etiquette?

It’s difficult to get through a meal or close a deal if you don’t know where to place your knife and fork during a meal, or worse, when you’ve finished eating! When it comes to dining in North America, there are two styles of eating: American and Continental.

What is the correct way to place your cutlery when you’re done eating?

Where do you put your cutlery when you’ve finished eating? The knife and fork go either straight up and down in the centre of the plate with the handles resting on the rim, or pointing between 10 and 4 o’clock. In each case the tines of the fork should be facing up, and the knife edge pointing in.

What is American style dining?

American Style: Also known as a “Switch and Switch” style, it requires diners to cut one bite of food at a time (unless however, you are under the age of seven; then you can cut your entire plate of food at once.) This style is traditional to the United States and takes practice to master.

Should cutlery be on the left or right?

Cutlery placement. Place your cutlery on the table in the order of use, starting from the outside and working inwards with each course. Forks should be set to the left of the plate, with knives placed to the right, blade edges facing inwards Soup spoons should be placed on the right of the knives.

How important is your knife in dining etiquette?

While eating, place knife, like a hat, across top of plate horizontally. If there are two knives as part of the setting, the fish (or salad knife) will be the rightmost knife. The inner fork and knife are provided for the entree. The water goblet and/or drinking glass to the right are yours.

What is the proper cutlery placement when dining out?

When seated, proper cutlery placement positions the salad fork to your outermost left, followed by the dinner fork. The soup spoon is on your outermost right, followed by your beverage spoon, salad knife and dinner knife.

Which side of the plate is the salad fork on?

Salad forks are on the far left. Napkins are on the far left of the forks. The first piece of cutlery on the right side of the dinner plate is the dinner knife. Place a teaspoon to the right of the knife.

What is the proper Fork and knife position in hand?

In America, the proper fork and knife position in hand while eating is to hold the knife in the right hand and the fork in the left hand. Cut a few bite-sized pieces of food and then place the knife on the edge of the plate with the blade facing in. To eat, switch the fork to the other hand (unless you are left-handed).

How to socialize with your cutlery?

The language of the cutlery is very interesting and useful when it comes to socializing. Here are a few tips to get it right. For example, when taking a break during lunch or dinner, you should place your fork and knife in the centre of your plate with the tips facing each other forming an inverted (V).