How is the French table setting different from the English?

The French lay their table slightly differently; the prongs of forks face downwards. This symbolises a fear of prongs, dating back to the days of the French revolution. The glasses are also placed in the different positions and the bread is placed directly onto the table.

How do English and French dining style differ?

Here again British and French have a different code. In France, you absolutely have to put your hands and forearms (never the elbows though!) on the table (you never know what could happen under the table!). Britons usually sit with one hand on the table and the other on their knees (more comfortable).

What is the French way of table setting?

Each dinner plate should be remotely centred in front of a chair, and lined up with the one across from it. There should be about 50 to 60 cm between each plate, so that your guests have ample space to manipulate their cutlery. Knives are to be placed on the right side of the plate together with the soup spoon if any.

What is the French style of table service?

Each food item is served by the server from platters to individual plates. Guests are served from the left. Anything that is added to a plate by a server after it has been placed in front of the guest – soup in a bowl, salad dressing, sauce on dessert, etc. – is part of this type of service.

What is the difference between English and American table setting?

Begin with the basics.

And while American settings place dessert silverware above the plate, the Brits put dessert forks and knives on the sides of the plate (or leave them out entirely, instead setting those pieces after the main course is cleared).

Table Service: American Service, Silver/English service, French Service, Russian, Gueridon Service

What does a typical table setting look like in England?

Casual Place Setting

Start with a dinner plate, then place a salad plate or soup bowl (or both) on top. To the left of the plate, set the folded napkin down and put the fork on top. To the right of the plate, place the dinner knife (with blade facing plate) down, followed by a dinner spoon to the right.

What is the difference between American and European table setting?

In the European dining style, the fork stays in your left hand and you place the food in your mouth with the tines facing down . In the American style, after you cut your food, you place your knife on the upper edge of the plate . Next, you transfer the fork to your right hand with the tines of your fork facing up .

What is the difference between American and French service?

The back waiter does more routine maintenance at the table like water glasses and clearing plates. American service is a less formal approach than French where a single server does just about all the guest service.

What are good table manners in France?

You are expected to pass dishes around and to hold a dish so your neighbour can retrieve some of the meal. When one begins a meal, they typically say “bon appétit” (enjoy your meal). Dinner guests should not open their mouth or talk when eating, and should gently wipe their mouth after taking a drink.

Is it rude to put your elbows on the table in France?

In English, we often hear “keep your elbows off the table,” however in France it's considered polite to keep your hands on the table. This tradition dates back to historical times, where swords, poison and meals with enemies were a regular occurrence.

Where do you put the spoon on a French table?

Lastly, the spoon goes to the right of the knife and is placed face down. At more French informal dinners a dessert spoon will be placed above the plate whereas, at more formal affairs, it will be brought with the dessert. In any case, make sure you place all silverware to be used throughout the meal.

Do you just sit at a table in France?

The French have made it a habit to gather together around the table for a meal. They wouldn't be caught dead eating their lunch in front of a computer desk or eating their croissant as they run to catch the metro.

What is English vs French interior design?

When it comes to furniture, French country kitchens typically exhibit pieces with scrolls and moldings, while English design exhibits more straight, rigid lines and weathered surfaces. "There are fussier architectural elements and motifs in French design than in English design," says Ceely.

How do French dining habits compare to American dining habits?

The French people eat all their meals together and in small portions, while Americans eat their food in large quantities. This habit has made fast food outlets more prevalent in the US than France. Chain restaurants that serve minute-made foods are uncommon in France.

What are some unique points of dining etiquette for France?

How do American and French table manners differ?

In America most people in formal situations cut with their dominant hand, then put down the knife, then switch the side of utensils and eat with their fork in their dominant hand. French people keep their hands above the table at all times and they can use bread to scoop food onto their spoon or fork.

Why do French put bread on table?

Many French people claim laying a baguette face down means risking a hunger curse to you and all those who eat it. However, if you accidentally put the bread upside down on the table, legend has it that you must draw a cross with your knife on the flat side of the baguette before cutting it to erase the curse.

Why do the French keep their hands on the table?

Some say this goes way back to times when you would be worried that the person at your table could harm you, so it was important to see their hands at all times.

What is an American kitchen in France?

Une cuisine américaine

This means “American kitchen,” and it refers to an open plan kitchen. Most French homes have a separate room for their kitchens, but as French architecture and design has become influenced by other cultures, there are more kitchens that open up to the living room or dining room.

What are the rules of French service?

The waiter keeps plates, service tools, and dishes on the trolley /sideboard. He or she places plates on guests' covers and then presents the dishes may be placed on the table and the host may serve all his guests at the table first or assist them in service and serve himself finally.

What is English table service?

In the English style service, the platters and bowls of food are placed in front of the table “host”, along with a stack of dinner plates. The host carves and serves the meat and side dishes, and passes the filled plates around the table to the hostess and the guests.

What is the difference between American and European style?

They are actually terms used to describe two different types of option exercise. European Style Options: can be exercised only at expiration. American Style Options: can be exercised at any time prior to expiration. The majority of CME Group options on futures are European style and can be exercised only at expiration.

What are the table manners in Europe?

In the European Style of dining, the fork is held in the left hand and the knife is held in the right hand when cutting food. As with American, cut the food using a gliding motion.

What is the main difference between American and European option?

The key difference between American and European options relates to when the options can be exercised: A European option may be exercised only at the expiration date of the option, i.e. at a single pre-defined point in time. An American option on the other hand may be exercised at any time before the expiration date.