Always place your napkin to the left of the plate when leaving the table.
There are few settings that spotlight an individual's social training as readily as the dinner table. Dining etiquette, by necessity, originated as a method of curbing violence during meals. In mid-17th century France, a knife blade pointing outward indicated animosity towards the diner it faced, and many altercations ensued as a result -- so many that King Louis XIV ordered all dinner knives have rounded ends. There are two actions that properly signal when a diner or dinner guest has finished. One applies when resting from the meal or leaving the table for a short period of time and the other concerns the completion of the meal. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Finished
1. Position your fork in the center of the plate, tines-up, so the handle points in the "five o'clock" direction and the tines point in the "10 o'clock" direction.
2. Position your knife to the right of your fork with the blade facing inward, towards the left. It should be parallel with the fork.
3. Gently fold your napkin and place it to the left of your plate. Do not crumple it or fold it crisply -- just loosely.
Resting
4. Position your knife so the end of the blade sits in the center of the plate, pointing in the "two o'clock" direction. The blade should face inward, or to your right.
5. Position your fork in the center of the plate so the tine-end sits on top of the knife. The handle of the fork should point in the "four o'clock" direction.
6. Fold your napkin loosely and place it to the left of your plate.
Tags: clock direction, Position your, center plate, your fork, your napkin, fork center