Table manners and which fork to use
Basic table manners come down to a few rules: napkin on your lap, use utensils from the outside in, bread plate on the left and drinks on the right, wait until everyone is served or the host starts, chew with your mouth closed, and keep the phone off the table. To show you are finished, lay your knife and fork side by side across the plate.
About 10 minutes to learnEveryday skill
Mark it once you can do it without this page open.
How to do it
- Put your napkin on your lap when you sit down, and on your chair if you step away.
- Use the utensils farthest from the plate first and work inward with each course.
- Make a b with your left hand and a d with your right: bread plate on the left, drink on the right.
- Wait until everyone has food, or the host starts, before you eat.
- Pass dishes to the right, and pass salt and pepper together.
- Take small bites, chew with your mouth closed, and put down your fork between bites while talking.
- Keep your phone off the table and on silent.
- When finished, place the knife and fork side by side on the plate, handles toward the lower right.
Common mistakes
- Using the bread plate or glass of the person next to you.
- Starting before others have been served.
- Waving a fork while talking.
- Checking your phone during the meal.
Quick self-check
Three questions. Your last score is kept in this browser.
Teach this to someone
A one-page sheet for showing a friend, a roommate or a kid: what to say, what to show, and one question to check it landed.
Teach: Table manners and which fork to use
What to say
Basic table manners come down to a few rules: napkin on your lap, use utensils from the outside in, bread plate on the left and drinks on the right, wait until everyone is served or the host starts, chew with your mouth closed, and keep the phone off the table. To show you are finished, lay your knife and fork side by side across the plate.
What to show, in order
- Put your napkin on your lap when you sit down, and on your chair if you step away.
- Use the utensils farthest from the plate first and work inward with each course.
- Make a b with your left hand and a d with your right: bread plate on the left, drink on the right.
- Wait until everyone has food, or the host starts, before you eat.
- Pass dishes to the right, and pass salt and pepper together.
- Take small bites, chew with your mouth closed, and put down your fork between bites while talking.
- Keep your phone off the table and on silent.
- When finished, place the knife and fork side by side on the plate, handles toward the lower right.
The check question
Ask: Which fork do you use first?
Related skills
- How to host a simple dinner
- How to be a good houseguest
- How much to tip (restaurants, delivery, services)
- Every skill in People and Etiquette
Last reviewed . First published .