How to properly set the table with cutlery? Impress with a perfectly set table and also learn how to hold cutlery while eating.

Arranging Cutlery: How to Properly Set Cutlery?

In addition to plates and glasses, the correct cutlery also needs to be on the table. Each piece of cutlery has its specific place. But where does the knife go, and should the fork be placed to the right or left of the plate? Here are the two most important table rules:

1. The knife and the soup spoon are always placed to the right of the plate.
2. The fork is always placed to the left of the plate.

The reason: Everything that is used with the right hand is placed on the right side. Cutlery used with the left hand is placed on the left side.

Is dessert on the menu? Then the dessert cutlery belongs on top of the plate. As before, the cake fork is placed with the handle facing left, and the dessert spoon is placed with the handle facing right.

Cutlery Sequence: Work from Outside to Inside!

This rule is well known: During a multi-course meal, the cutlery is used from the outside in toward the plate. And that’s correct! Therefore, the cutlery should be placed so that the pieces used first are always on the outside. As a guest, you will know exactly which cutlery is to be used next, and it will be easier to orient yourself.

During a multi-course meal, a lot of cutlery can quickly accumulate. This can make the table look overcrowded. Therefore, it’s advised that no more than four pieces of cutlery be placed on the right and *never more than three pieces of cutlery on the left**. If the table is too crowded, the cutlery can also be served with the respective course.

Table Manners: How to Hold Cutlery During Eating?

Not only before eating but also during eating should the knife and fork find their rightful place. Here’s how to hold cutlery:

The knife should be in the right hand, and the fork in the left hand. And what about left-handed people? The cutlery is not set differently for left-handed people, but they are allowed to swap the cutlery for each course and hold it in their dominant hand.

While eating, it’s also important that the fork and spoon are brought to the mouth, not the other way around. If you take a break while eating, make sure that the knife and fork never point upwards – nor should they be laid at an angle on the edge of the plate. The best place to lay down your cutlery is in the center of the plate.

Table Etiquette: What to Avoid While Eating

To avoid making a bad impression on the guests or the host, you should avoid the following with cutlery:

•  Do not lick the knife.
•  Do not scratch the plate with the knife or fork.
•  Do not wipe the knife on the food or the fork.
•  Do not lay cutlery in cups or bowls and make sure they are placed in the correct position.

Done Eating? The Cutlery Reveals It!

Whether you’ve finished eating or are just taking a break, you can easily communicate this through the position of the cutlery. Knife and fork actually have their own cutlery language. To understand it, imagine the plate as a clock face. Knife and fork are the hands.

Depending on where the cutlery is placed on the plate, it communicates the following to the host or waiter:

•  “I’m taking a break”: The cutlery is placed crossed or left open on the plate. This signals that you are taking a break, and the plate should not be cleared yet.
•  “I’m done eating”: Once you finish eating, place the cutlery parallel next to each other on the right edge of the plate (the so-called 20 after 4 position). The host or waiter knows now that the plate can be cleared.

With this little table etiquette guide, you will not only impress at your next dinner but also spoil your guests’ stomachs and souls. Bon appétit!