use of table napkins & silverware and dinnerware

• A table napkin is a square piece of fabric or paper used at a meal for practical and aesthetic purposes in dining.
• The purposes of the table napkin include hygiene, clothing protection, decoration, manners & etiquettes, and gesture & conversation aid.
• Cloth/fabric napkins are often used in formal settings, while paper napkins are often used in common/casual outings.
• If a host/hostess is present, the napkin should be held and waited for them to take it.
• In some formal settings, waiters place the napkin on your lap.
• The napkin should be draped neatly across the lap but not over the knees.
• If the napkin is large, it should be folded with the folded side facing upwards.
• The napkin should only be placed in the lap, not tucked in the collar like a bib.
• The napkin should only be used around the mouth, never wiped across or used to clean cutlery.
• Silverware, also known as flatware, refers to flat utensils (forks, knives, spoons) made from silver, stainless steel, plastics.
• Dinnerware is used for serving and consuming meals (ceramic, porcelain) including plates, bowls, mugs.
• The work from the Outside In rule states that silverware should be used farthest from your plate, with the knife held firmly using your dominant hand and the fork on the non-dominant hand.
• If not in use, silverware should be placed in the plate, not in the cloth.
• Pointing people/objects using utensils is considered impolite.
• Cut as you eat, taking small portions at a time and enjoying before cutting the next.
• The "Ready to Eat" signal is when the fork and knife are placed beside the plate.
• The "excellent" signal is when the fork and knife are placed horizontally with the blade and tines facing right.
• The "Done" signal is when the fork and knife are placed parallel to the plate (12 o'clock) or 4:20.
• The "next dish" signal is when the fork is parallel to the plate overlying the knife placed horizontally facing the left.
• Glassware should always be held in the stem to avoid fingerprints and keep clean, enhance flavor by swirling, and preserve wine temperature.
• White wine should be chilled and paired with white meat, red wine should be slightly below room temperature and paired with red meat, and champagne should be sparkling
• In American Style, the knife is rested on the plate and the fork is switched to the dominant hand, while in European Style, the knife remains held during eating.
• Give me 6 types of napkin folds

  1. Rose Fold
  2. Heart Fold
  3. Tree Fold
  4. Diamond Pouch Fold - formality
  5. Envelope Fold
  6. Pocket Fold
• "Break"

  • inverted "V" like shape, knife aren't in the tines
• "Did not like it"

  • blade is inserted on the tines of the fork