s/o manners

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CinemaGoddess

I learned that you use the utensils from outside in on each side.  Like this picture:  

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scoutkate

Betsy is taking a class, but we didn't have anything like that in the town where I grew up so I just picked it up along the way. But to this day, if I'm in a restaurant and the utensils are rolled up in a napkin, I have to consciously think about which utensils go on which side of the plate.

flyingsaucer

From my grandmother. She was rarely formal but when she was, it had to be done right (I would help her set the table).

chardonnay24

I don't know nearly enough. I know to use utensils from the outside in. I don't know the right glass for each type of beverage. Luckily I don't run with a fancy crowd so I've never really made an ass out of myself.

There's an etiquette school in our city that offers classes to kids and teens. I'll sign up my kid when he's 3 or 4. They learn basics: introductions, conversation basics, utensils and how to use them properly, telephone etiquette, thank you notes, and napkin use. At the end of the class, they have a 5 course meal in which each student demostrates their newly acquired skills.

flyingsaucer

@CinemaGoddess my step mother is South African and her formal place settings were done differently (dessert utensils above the plate). I used to get so confused as a kid

shadypines

From grandma and mom. I still forgot some stuff. Especially when I'm at a wedding receptions, Christmas parties, formal gatherings.....

MsMommy2012

I learned from my mom and my grandmom. I also had an internship where they gave us a corporate culture class. One of the segments was table etiquette. I already knew it, but a lot of ppl were glad they had it.

Monkeybabe

I'm starting to wonder if the west coast is awesome, or has done me a disservice, because I have never even thought about this. Portland is so ridiculously laid back.

CinemaGoddess

krptcmschfmkr128 said:

All I remember is you break a chunk of bread, butter it, eat it. Repeat until bread is gone. NOT butter the whole piece after cutting down the middle. Etiquette was taught to us as 20 min pre-prom presentation.

This is wise because it ensures you get the maximum amount of butter on each piece of bread.  

WasNotWas

I took a 2 month etiquette "camp". All the women on my mom's side of the family have had formal etiquette training

The key is knowing what you are supposed to do so you can choose to do it if appropriate.

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chardonnay24

@Monkeybabe I live in Portland, too and my lack of formal etiquette knowledge has never been an issue. That said, I am ridiculously awkward in social situations and I wish that I DID know what to do were it ever to become an issue.

https://www.graygables.com/academy/

That's the school I want to send my kid to. I don't think it's super formal but I like that it covers everything from conversation to utensils and thank you notes.

jorkz821

I learned in brownies or girl guides but our dessert spoon/fork and teaspoon go horizontally above the plate. Maybe it's a Commonwealth thing.