Which side of the plate for etiquette put a fork?

Restaurant etiquette is a delicate art that deserves careful study. Not only workers and frequent visitors to the service industry should be familiar with some basic rules and features of this area, in order to avoid possible embarrassing situations while serving on their own. It is necessary to learn in advance about the ways of serving tableware and other important little things that are of great importance in dining etiquette.

There are a number of sequential nuances in the design of the table:

• The serving process begins with the selection of the necessary instruments. In direct proportion to the number of guests and the food served depends on the number of forks, spoons and knives, but it is important to remember that it is inappropriate to mix and get the entire collection of devices available in the arsenal.
• It is necessary to choose the right devices, starting from the official reception, expected guests and the size of the table.
• There are three types of sets: basic, snack and dessert. Every home has a basic set. Any of the kits necessarily includes a spoon, fork and knife, but the size of the devices will be very different.
• Serving may vary depending on the subject of reception, food served and the scale of the event.

Starting table setting, it is also worth knowing that there are different options: basic, formal and informal table setting. You should consider each species in more detail:

• The basic setting includes the obligatory presence of a “base”. Under the basic set assumes the presence of plates, forks, spoons, knives, glasses of water and napkins. If the first courses are not planned for the entire meal, a spoon is easily excluded from this list.
• Informal serving style is suitable for lunch with friends or themed brunch. In this case, a large number of snack plates are added, therefore, appliances, glasses or other types of beverage containers.
• The formal serving option implies formal events as a reason: celebration of memorable events, holidays, dinners with colleagues or meals during negotiations.

The greatest difficulties arise in the distribution of devices. Here it is worth remembering the basic rule: the sequence of location of devices reflects the order of their usetherefore, from the outside of the plate, the first for the guest will be the appliances for snacks or any other dish served first. Devices are always distributed around the plate for the main course. If you remember this only rule, you can avoid a lot of awkward situations when setting your own table setting for dinner or any other meal.

To show your deeper knowledge, it is enough to understand which side to put various devices on. And here I exist my conventions. For example, knives, even if they are provided for several, are always placed on the right side of the plate. Their blades are always facing the plate.

Forks are placed on the left side of the plate. In addition, the side when serving means which hand is worth taking the device. This simple rule also facilitates the understanding of the intricacies of restaurant etiquette for guests.

It is important not only to arrange forks and spoons for dinner in the correct order, but also to keep certain distances between them. Thus, the distance between each individual device should be at least half a centimeter, and the ends of the instrument handles should be at a distance of 1.5-2 centimeters from the edge of the table being served.

This question is the second most popular under the basic concepts of restaurant etiquette. The position of the devices during the meal is a separate requirement for the service personnel or the host. It is very often possible to meet the supply of devices exclusively with the dish and their subsequent change. So, it is very common to wrap appliances in napkins. The guest or client, having unrolled the instruments, should also be aware of their further movement on the table during and after the meal and the significance of these movements.

For example, to avoid prematurely cleaned dishes, you can signal that you temporarily interrupt the meal or still continue the process, placing the devices on the plate. The sides of the arrangement remain the same: on the left - a fork or spoon, on the right a knife.

To report that you are ready to serve the next dish, it is enough to cross the devices directly on the plate, turning the knife to the left and the fork to the right. If the meal is already finished, you need to arrange the devices parallel to each other along the diagonal of the plate.

Anyway, at the present time there is an opinion that only in restaurant establishments all the details of serving are observed. In fact, this knowledge can be applied during various family celebrations and other important holidays. There are several common examples:

• Serving a romantic dinner for two suggests an intimate atmosphere, dim light and, of course, the presence of suitable glasses. Additional accessories in the decoration will add a special touch of closeness. You can start with a choice of colors, based on the preferences of the second half lice, and then you can add significant details: put your favorite flowers, ribbons, souvenirs, a general photo. Music and lighted candles of various shapes and sizes will become an integral accompaniment.

• Important celebration in close family circle suggests respect for tradition and classic serving style. Of particular importance is the difference of generations, and therefore the style of serving, and the overall design of the table should be as generally accepted, not too bright, but solemn in their classics. Restraint combined with solemnity can be expressed in beautifully selected expensive dishes (crystal products are appropriate), cutlery, white napkins and the presence of accents, for example, gold and silver.

• Often a ceremonial meal is associated with the celebration of some event.. Here comes the thematic table setting. New Year's or Christmas table is complemented by coniferous products and Christmas tree accessories, sometimes the serving is done in a combination of burgundy, red and green colors.

• By the autumn holidays tables are served with the addition of semi-precious stones, small seasonal vegetables, appearing in the form of accessories. The compositions are complemented by suitable colors.

• Summer Wedding Celebrations complement light fabrics, delicate pastel colors and glassware.

It is very important not to limit your imagination and embody any creative ideas, applying knowledge in the design of the table.Any celebration begins with a competent serving, which is sure to make a pleasant impression on all participants in the celebration.

More information about which side of the plate put the fork and knife according to the rules of etiquette, you will learn from the following video.