3 forks, 2 knives, 4 glasses, 3 spoons….What a confusion !!!!!!!!

For many of you a typical formal table setting is a big confusion and could embarrass you in formal setups. Formal table setting etiquette could be a little tricky but here we have a solution to your big time problem. Today I will introduce you to each utensil, its proper use and look classy when you eat. So are you ready to dine like a diplomat?

Description
A- Appetizer / Salad fork: Placed far left is used for salads and appetizers
B- Dinner Fork: This fork is the largest and is placed left and near to the service plate.
C- Service plate: It is where the courses are served.
D- Dinner Knife- Placed next to service plate on right.
E- Dinner spoon: Is long and narrow placed on right side of the service plate next to the dinner knife.
F- Soup spoon: Is placed next to dinner spoon. It is round , small than dinner spoon and deep.
G- Butter plate and butter knife: It is place above far left to the service plate. After use place the butter knife diagonally on the right side of the butter plate with the blade pointing away from you.
H- Dessert spoon and fork: These are placed just above the service plate. Desert spoon is the smallest.
I- Glasses: Glasses are arranged as such- Water glass- champagne flute -Red wine goblet- white wine goblet.

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Now how to use them properly and not to look like a starter here are few tips:

• Rule of thumb is to work outside in or use silverware outside to inside
• For glasses always start to the left and move towards right.
• Another tip to remember is BMW (Bread, meal and water)
• Napkin is placed folded on the service plate. Unfold it & place it on the lap before you start the meal.
•  It is impolite to season your food before tasting
• Always pass the salt and pepper together

Some dinner Taboos:

• Elbows on table
• Salt / Pepper on food before tasting
• Talking with mouth full 
• Drinking with food in mouth
• Gesturing with silverware
• Pushing back or stacking plates at end of meal
• Answering or placing cell phone calls at table
• Dunking anything into coffee or water
• Making a fuss over incorrect orders
• Arranging hair or applying makeup at table
• Picking your teeth at the table
• Asking for a doggy bag 

Learn the art of dining

• Right method to use the napkins?
• American and European/Continental style of dining?
• How to hold the glasses and raise a toast
• Different positions of placing forks and knives
• Who should pay the bill
• How to select the order
• Who and when to decide the menu?
• How to address the waiter?
• What to do if silverware falls down?
• How to excuse in the middle of the dinner?
• What should be the conversation topics at formal dining?
• Playing a perfect host
• How to compliment?
• Different international and cross cultural  dining etiquette

Great style of eating is an art which you can learn and make great positive impressions either it is a formal business dinner or family dinners. Above mentioned are few dining tips and if you really want to learn the art of dining you can reach us.

my Áura provides customized programs & workshops which are comprehensive & well-structured with “real life applications” for individuals, corporate and educational institutions. We help in strategic planning to form the foundation of your powerful image.

For further details mail us at info@myauraimageconsultant.com