Etiquette Tips: Formal Table Setting Basics

2017 will be such a hopeful year for many. Here at our luxury real estate office, we wouldn’t be surprised if the MacDonald Highlands community threw plenty of dinner parties. But since none of our residents are basic people, we wouldn’t expect them to throw basic dinner parties. To help you, our Las Vegas luxury real estate office describes the proper formal table setting in this month’s etiquette tips.

ETIQUETTE TIPS: HOW TO SET A PROPER FORMAL TABLE SETTING  

TABLE CLOTH AND PLACE MATS

While it’s not always necessary in basic or informal table settings, a beautiful tablecloth will set the tone and color scheme of a formal dinner. Place table mats of concordant or contrasting colors on top to keep the utensils and courses from touching the table cloth.

CHARGER

The charger is a plate that serves as the underplate when other courses are served. For practical reasons, it’s used to keep the table cloth clean and to catch any falling pieces of food. From an artistic standpoint, the charger can add an element of contrast between the tablecloth and course plates. Replace the charger when you serve the entree plate.

BUTTER PLATE AND KNIFE

The butter plate is a tiny plate and knife set above the forks. The butter knife is set diagonally with the ridges set towards the charger plate. This plate holds the evening’s bread if bread is served before or during the entree.

VARIOUS FORKS AND KNIVES

Set forks on the left and knives on the right. These forks and knives need to be set in the order in which the courses are served. If fish is served before the salad, the fish fork and knife must be set on the outside.

Again, like the butter knife, the teeth of the knife must be set towards the plate. When the course is over, the fork and knife are set on the serving plate and removed. Spoons are served on the right side with the knives in the order of how the courses are served.

GLASSES

Place the water or beverage glass directly above the knives. It is never removed. Other glasses follow the outside to inside order similar to the forks and knives. The glasses are removed after each course.

NAPKIN

Napkins are placed on top of the charger. The napkin is immediately placed in the lap when the person sits down. If the guest leaves the table for any reason, the napkin does not go back on the table. This will signal to the serving staff the guest is done. Instead follow this etiquette tip, place the napkin on the seat.

FIND THE PROPER LAS VEGAS LUXURY REAL ESTATE

Before you can throw a dinner party with proper etiquette, you need to have the proper home. At our Las Vegas luxury community, our luxury real estate agents can help you the best home in Las Vegas, Nevada. Schedule an appointment today.