Table Setting Sense: Which bread plate is mine?

The importance of civility at the dining table has waned in recent decades in an American society of busyness and activity overload that deprived younger generations now in the current workforce of the traditional family dinner experience. I have found that my young students eat their meals everywhere but at the table. As they become young adults with degrees in hand they unfortunately lack the basic life skills necessary to achieve their professional goals. A professor from Columbia Business School states, “Social intelligence is not a replacement for abstract intelligence. That gets you in the door, but social intelligence gets you to the top.”

Table Setting Sense: Which bread plate is mine?

I have experienced on many occasions both socially and professionally the commandeering of my bread plate by one who may not have learned some of the finer points of etiquette. In this situation it is best not to draw attention to your neighbor’s gaffe but kindly request another plate or forego the bread altogether. Your bread plate will be located to the upper left of the place setting and all liquids will be to the upper right.

The place setting is a visual introduction to the meal, offering a sneak peek into the menu by the placement and number of silverware. The knives and spoons will be to the right and the forks to your left with the exception of a cocktail fork which would also be found to the right. The dessert fork and spoon are sometimes found horizontally at the top of the place setting unless they accompany the dessert. As each course is served choose the appropriate eating utensil farthest from the plate working from the outside inward.