What is the correct way to set up a table?

Question

Where do you place everything? Is there a proper way?

Cutlery, Crockery, Glasses... where does it all go?

Answer 1

In general: the plate centered in front of the diner, about one finger-width from the edge of the table. Knife to the right of the plate, with the blade's cutting-edge toward the plate. Spoon to the right of the knife. Fork to the left of the plate. Drinking-glass above the knife.

Depending on what meal you are serving, and on how formal the meal is, and on specific cultural background, many small variations take place on the general pattern. But even though the variations seem small, there is a right way and many wrong ways to do each of them.

What meal are you serving?

Answer 2

Cutlery, Crockery, Glasswear, and Table-mats go on the flat level surface on top of the table, organised in a way consistent with enabling one to consume a meal without needless collateral contamination, either to oneself or the table.

Food is also often served onto bowls and large serving plates on the level flat surface of the table.

Answer 3

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_setti...