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Formal & Informal
Know Your Utensils, Dine With Etiquette
A table setting is the placement of dining utensils. The purpose of table setting is to organize tableware so that the dining can be carried out in manners. There are two types of table setting that can be used in business dining, formal and informal. In general, the table setting type depends on the meals being served. The formal table setting is prepared for a six-course meal. Hence, more utensils are set. As for the informal table setting, more minimal utensils are used for a three-course meal [1].
Informal Table Setting
An informal table setting is commonly used in casual but upscale or high street restaurants. The three courses start with a soup or salad continued with the main course and closed with a dessert.
The informal table setting is simple and straightforward. There is only one plate used. Knife and spoons are placed righthand while forks are in the lefthand. Glasswares are placed on the top of the knife and spoons. Dessert utensils are placed on the top of the plate, horizontally.
Formal Table Setting
The formal table setting is the upper scale of the informal table setting that is commonly used for fine dining restaurants. The six courses start with an appetizer continued with soup, salad, starch, a protein, and then closed with a dessert.
In the formal table setting, there are more tablewares used. An additional plate and knife for bread are placed on the left side on top of the forks. A cup and saucer are also used. However, these will come out when the dessert course is served. To know more, click this link to Martha Stewart's website where she explained the formal table setting in detail.
The difference between the formal and informal table setting is only in the number of utensils used and the napkin placement. In the formal table setting, the napkin is placed on the left side. On the other hand, in the informal table setting, the napkin is placed on top of the dining plate. Although the placement of napkins for these two types of table settings is different, while dining, open the napkin and placed it on top of your lap. When you are needed to leave the table, be sure that you place your napkin on top of your chair, not the dining table. Lastly, when the dining is finished, placed the napkin on the left side of the table setting [2].
The placement for both table setting types is generalized. The fork is placed on the left side while the knife and spoons are placed on the right side [3]. The forks, knives, and spoons are placed based on the order of use. The dinners will start with utensils from the farthest to the closest position of the plate. Each of the utensils has different functions and ways to hold. To know more about the utensils and proper ways to use them click this link or play the video below.
Using Utensils With Etiquette
The Ultimate Guide of Business Dining
References
[1]. S. F. G. Contributor, “What is the difference between a formal and an informal table setting?” Home Guides | SF Gate, 16-Feb-2021. [Online]. Available: https://homeguides.sfgate.com/difference-between-formal-informal-table-setting-103497.html. [Accessed: 15-Mar-2022].
[2]. “DINING ETIQUETTE - Making Your Mark at Business Dining Experiences,” Fort Hays State University. [Online]. Available: https://www.fhsu.edu/makingyourmark/etiquette-dinner-powerpoint.pdf. [Accessed: 15-Mar-2022].
[3]. “7 simple rules for setting flatware on a table.” [Online]. Available: https://www.etiquettescholar.com/dining_etiquette/table_setting/place_setting/flatware/placing_flatware.html. [Accessed: 15-Mar-2022].
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