The proper use of cutlery is really quite simple but many people struggle with the concept of its proper use, in so much as to how to place it on the table correctly. So consequently when serving a meal they do not arrange it in the correct way according to etiquette. Due to people's lack of confidence in placing their cutlery out properly they tend to make meal times less formal. This can lead to meal times being quite anti social, because instead of having a meal around a table with family and/or friends they will eat in front of the television or whilst tapping away at their computer. So just by learning a few basic rules you can turn your grab and run mealtimes into something special, and something for all involved to look forward to as this is probably the only time most families can actually spend quality time together in our madcap world that we have made for ourselves. So give your children chance to get to know you as you, and not as some whirlwind who is there to give them a taxi ride whenever they need it.
The basic rules for laying your table are easy to understand, and once learnt you will never forget. Also with any luck your children or dining partners will also notice how the table is laid and will pass on anything they have remembered to their other friend's and future family.
Cutlery is arranged in order of its use. The first course cutlery is placed on the outer edge of your dinnerware, whilst the courses that follow are placed on the inside of these. This means that when placing your cutlery out on your dining table it is usual best to put your cutlery for your last course out first, as this is placed nearer to your dinnerware. Then follow on by placing your other cutlery on the outside of this to make a uniform setting.
When placing your cutlery etiquette over the years has dictated that knives are placed to the right of the dinner service and forks to the left. In the case of spoons these are also placed on the right. This is probably because the majority of people are right-handed and so therefore this makes more sense. Another rule is to make sure that your cutlery matches. There is nothing more distracting than seeing a table with mismatched cutlery. Especially if there are different styles.
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