Silverware Etiquette

For many people, setting the table is the easy part; it is using the silverware that is troublesome. What do you do if you drop your silverware? How should you hold your silverware? While many people don’t notice the fine distinctions of silverware etiquette, many other people gain their first impressions of you from this type of situation. Try to follow some of these practices:

·        Cut your food into bite-size pieces. Try to cut even salad and pasta you into manageable bites. In addition, however, you should only cut one bite at a time; then eat it, and move on to cut the next bite.

·        Don’t grab and stab. Don’t hold your silverware with a fist and stab your food. Instead, balance the utensil on your fingers with your thumb steadying it, and lift bites to your mouth.

·        Leave the silverware where you used it. Unless there is only one fork, leave the salad fork on the salad plate (unless the hostess otherwise instructs you).

 

In addition, avoid these “sad but true” silverware etiquette mistakes. When you’re using silverware, don’t:

·        Use your silverware to point

·        Slurp liquids out of your spoon

·        Take butter directly from the tray to your bread.

·        Pick your teeth with your fork.

·        Leave a dropped piece of silverware on the ground. 

 

Use your silverware only for food. If you drop a piece of food onto the table, pick it up with your silverware. If you have to get something out of your mouth, use your silverware rather than your fingers. Remember that silverware is meant to make eating both more proper and more convenient.