Place Setting
The fork placed farthest from your plate, usually used for the first course or salad.
What is the salad fork?
The way you should sit at the table, with your back straight and feet under your chair.
What is good posture?
The utensil usually used to eat soup.
What is a spoon?
The polite word to use when asking someone to pass something.
What is “please”?
The amount of a restaurant bill commonly used as a starting point for a tip when service is good.
What is 15-20%?
The utensil placed to the right of the plate and used for cutting food.
What is the dinner knife?
The polite signal that everyone may begin eating.
What is waiting until the host begins or invites everyone to start?
The utensil held in your dominant hand when cutting food.
What is a knife?
What you should do when someone else is speaking at the table.
What is listen without interrupting?
The person you should thank and tip for providing table service when appropriate.
Who is the server?
The location where your drinking glass is usually placed in a formal setting.
What is above and to the right of your plate?
What you should do with your napkin during the meal.
What is keep it on your lap and use it to dab your mouth as needed?
The proper way to cut meat at a formal meal.
What is cutting one bite-sized piece at a time, then eating it before cutting another piece?
The polite way to get an item that is out of reach.
What is ask someone to pass it instead of reaching across the table?
The clothing accessory often worn around the neck with a dress shirt for formal or special events.
What is a tie?
The proper location for your napkin at the start of a formal meal.
What is on your lap after you sit down, or to the left of your forks before you begin?
The reason you should avoid reaching across someone or leaning over the table.
What is to respect others’ space and avoid disturbing the meal?
The proper way to rest your utensils when you are taking a break from eating.
What is placing them on your plate instead of on the table?
The respectful way to handle a phone during a meal.
What is silence and put it away unless there is an important reason to use it, in which case ask permission and step away from the table?
The basic steps for tying a standard necktie.
What is cross the wide end over the narrow end, wrap it around, pull it through the loop, and adjust the knot?
The general rule for reading a formal place setting.
What is using the utensils from the outside in as each course is served?
The proper place for your napkin if you leave the table temporarily and where to place it when the meal is finished.
What is placing it on your chair when leaving temporarily and to the left of your plate when finished?
The signal that tells a server you are finished with your meal.
What is placing your fork and knife together neatly on your plate?
The polite way to handle food you do not like.
What is take a small portion, try it politely if appropriate, and avoid making negative comments?
The three parts of a respectful handshake.
What are a firm but comfortable grip, eye contact, and a greeting such as “Hello,” “Nice to meet you,” or “Thank you”?