A Place at the Table

Setting the table has long been the chore of choice for kids across the country. Sometimes it seems like a frivolous or outdated thing to do, since modern tables rarely employ any of the more intimidating utensils, like oyster forks, fish knives, or butter plates.

Still, setting the table is something worth doing because it helps make ordinary meals feel like something special, and creates a sense of continuity. Anywhere you go, you can feel right at home if your fork and spoon are where you usually find them!

Forks sit at the left of the plate on top of a folded napkin. There’s a historical reason for this: since most people are right-handed, we allow them to command the knife with their dominant hand, and use the fork as a stabilizing force. That way, there are fewer knife-related accidents at dinnertime.

The right-handed rule is also why we put spoons and glasses on the right side of the plate — imagine trying to eat soup with your non-dominant hand!

Next time you set the table, feel confident that there’s good logic for why things are placed that way!