What’s the connection between driving a BMW and your place setting?
Imagine yourself seated at the table at a beautiful wedding (napkin in lap of course). Notice the many utensils, glasses and plates. Oh my! You take a sip of what you think to be your water glass, only to notice the person to your left taking a sip out of the same water glass moments later. After you think “yuck” – your next thought is “oops!” Whose water goblet is it?
Yum. The smell of turkey, stuffing, sweet potatoes and all the Thanksgiving meal fixings are enough to make you jump the gun and dig in – despite knowing that you must mind your manners 
and wait until everyone else is served. This dilemma happens not only at Thanksgiving, but any time it’s chow time. It is true that you should follow what your mom probably taught you and wait until everyone has been served, but there are some variations. Here are a few helpful guidelines so you know when it’s time to wait and when you have a thumbs-up to begin eating: Read More
Your Knife and Fork – Resting and Finished Positions
When you are done with a meal, your knife and fork should be placed side by side, across your plate in the 10 o’clock and 4 o’clock position. This is called the finished position and allows wait staff to know that you are done with your meal and they can remove your plate.
If you wish to rest between bites to talk, use your napkin, take a drink or just digest and enjoy the conversation, the same across the plate position is used, but the knife and fork are not side by side. They are further apart and slightly higher on your plate. This is called the resting position.
Both of the above guidelines are for the American or Zigzag style of dining, used only by Americans and Canadians. The European or Continental style of holding your utensils is used by nearly the rest of the knife-and-fork-using-world. It calls for the knife in your right hand and fork in your left, wrists resting on the table between bites. The finished position for Continental style is the same as American style, except the tines of the fork face down. The resting position has the fork facing 2 o’clock and handle at 8 with the tines pointing down, while the tip of the knife faces 10 o’clock and handle 4. The knife and fork cross over each other.
Mind Your Manners,
Kelly
Did you know….
If you drop a utensil on the floor while dining out, you should leave it there. Politely mention to the server that you have done so and ask for another. You don’t want to pick it up and place it back on the table since someone else may use it. Gross. When you do the same at home, pick it up and get yourself another! Moms don’t count as “servers” in their own homes!
Leave your unused utensils on the table. Once used, they should rest on your plate, not on the table. The only utensils that should be in your hands are the ones you are using to cut and eat. Being animated while talking with a knife or fork in your hand could turn you into a Dangerous Diner!
Mind Your Manners, Kelly
Everybody knows to always have their napkin on their lap while eating, right?
But did you know…..
Napkins Notes:
As soon as you are seated at the table, place your napkin on your lap, unless you are at a more formal dinner, in which case, wait until your hostess has done so. When dining out, waiting to place your napkin in your lap until after you’ve ordered is also acceptable.
Unless you are eating lobster or are a baby/toddler, do not place your napkin around your neck. This screams “I’m a SLOB!”
When you need to excuse yourself from the table, place your napkin in your chair.
When the meal is complete, loosely folded napkins should go to the left of your plate. No need for beautiful refolds, but no crumpling.
Once plates have been cleared, you may set your napkin directly in front of you.
Napkins are not used for spitting out unwanted food or blowing your nose -especially at the table!
Napkins are also not washcloths. Pat those lips – do not wipe!
Mind Your Manners,
Kelly
