2. NAPKIN ETIQUETTE
At informal meals, place the napkin in your lap immediately upon seating. During formal occasions, before unfolding the napkin, wait for the hostess to remove her napkin from the table and unfold it in her lap.
Read more table manners tips for using your napkin in the napkin etiquette section.
3. FOOD SERVICE ETIQUETTE
During service of a formal dinner, the food is brought to each diner at the table; the server presents the platter or bowl on the diner's left. At a more casual meal, either the host dishes the food onto guests' plates for them to pass around the table or the diners help themselves to the food and pass it to others as necessary.
4. THE TABLE SETTING
Deciding which knife, fork, or spoon to use is made easier by the outside-in table manners rule – using utensils on the outside first and working your way inward. Our table setting section discusses in greater detail what you'll see at the table.