Bread Plates, Coffee Cups, Place Settings OH MY!




Formal Setting Courtesy of USC

Knowing your way around your place setting is a must in dining etiquette.  While I could go on and on about place settings for this post, I will limit it to one fabulously useful tip.  A friend of mine who works in the White House said one of the most useful things they learned from the Social Secretary's Office is how to remember which is your bread plate:  once you are seated, discretely place your hands on your lap under the table and make a circle with each thumb and index finger while keeping your other fingers straight up, like this: 

Courtesy of the Washington Post

Your left hand will form a "b" for your bread plate (which is on the left of your place setting) and your right hand will form a “d” for your drinks  (which are on the right of your place setting).  How marvelously simple is that?  Do you have any other tips that help you maneuver around the dining table?  Care to share?