International Informal
Most common setting for informal Western meal.
Dinner knife to the right of dinner plate.
Soup spoon to the right of the dinner knife.
Dinner fork to the left of the dinner plate.
Napkin neatly folded to the left of the dinner fork.
Dessert fork and spoon laid horizontally above the dinner plate.
Dessert fork is placed first with handle to the left and the dessert spoon above it with the handle to the right.
British Formal
dinner knife and fork are used together in the European style.
dinner fork held in the left hand, tines down, and the dinner knife held in the right hand for cutting and guiding food onto the fork.
English Afternoon Tea
Butter plate is place in the centre with the napkin on the left.
Bread knife, dessert spoon and pastry fork is place in order on the right.
Teacup and saucer is set above the cutlery with the teaspoon lying horizontally on the saucer behind the cup.
Handle of the teacup should be parallel to the teaspoon.*typo: it should be Napkin (simple fold).
American Formal
This setting is for a three course meal with a fish starter.
Bread knife is optional. if needed, it would be laid on the butter plate.
During main course, the dinner fork is place on the left hand for cutting and on the right hand for each bite, and back to the left hand.
Dessert utensils can be laid across the top of the setting or brought in when dessert is served.
French Formal
This setting is different from American and British settings.
Butter plates and knives are not used.
Bread is laid directly onto the table and butter is not served.
Forks and spoon rest face down.
Tablespoon is used instead of soup spoon.
Knife rest is required for the dinner knife.
Chinese Informal
Chopsticks should be laid together to the right of the dinner plate, on a chopstick stand.
Soup bowl and teacup are laid behind the dinner plate.
A small dish for sauce is placed in front of the teacup.
Soup spoon may be placed in the bowl or at the side, to the left of the chopsticks.
Offer guests who are inexperienced with chopsticks the option of a knife and fork.
Japanese Informal
Many different types of table setting depending on the occasion and the food being served.
This is a basic setting.
Rice bowl is on the left.
Lidded soup bowl is on the right.
Fried or grilled food are served in an open plate (dinner plate) behind the rice bowl.
A small dish for pickles is placed at the side.
A cup for tea is place at the back on the right.
Chopsticks lie horizontally resting side by side on a stand at the front, pointing to the left.