Invitations
According to the rules of etiquette, guests should be invited at least eight days before the event by phone or by mail. Modern 21st century hosts may prefer to send a card by e-mail.
Cutlery is laid out on either side of the plate in order of use from the outside in.
- The knife is placed on the right, beside the plate, blade toward the plate.
- The soupspoon is placed just beside the knife.
- The dinner plate is placed in the centre.
- The dinner fork is placed on the left. If a salad fork or special fork for the entrée is to be used, it is placed to the left of the dinner fork.
- The bread plate is placed up to the left of the dinner plate with the butter knife resting on the edge.
- The teaspoon and dessert fork are laid crossways above the dinner plate.
- Glasses will be covered another time...
Unusual cutlery: fondue and oyster forks are always placed beside the knife, snail tongs to the right of the forks
- All guests should arrive no later than half an hour after the time stated on the invitation. Cut off latecomers!!!
- The lady of the house welcomes the guests.
- Hostess gifts: flowers should be put out in a vase, wine should be served that evening, sweets should be served with coffee. Any other gift should be set out in the living room.
- The hosts give the lead, creating a friendly atmosphere where everyone gets a chance to speak. Avoid controversial subjects that could result in heated exchanges
- More congenial subjects might be:
1. holidays,
2. children,
3. the TV series that everyone is talking about.
- Soup or consommé are served in the soup plate already set out.
- All dishes, except salad, cheese and fruit plates, are passed around twice.
- If guests take seconds, the hosts should do the same, if their appetite permits...
- First: Never show that one is tired.
- Second : Offer refreshments: fruit juice, mineral water, etc. No need to panic just because nobody takes the hint!
- Pick up an ashtray, a glass or a bottle.
- Ask if anyone would like to call a cab. Handle things with tact and refinement! The hostess sees her guests to the living room door and the host sees them out! Chin up gentlemen! You can do it!
Table manners and etiquette