Fork in left hand or fork in right hand?
Fork is an ancient agricultural tool. After many centuries, no one thought that you could eat with it. It was not until the 11th century that a young lady from Constantinople brought a fork to Italy that this custom spread to Europe. By the 15th century, the use of forks was widespread in Italy. After returning to China, British travelers explained that Italians don't want to eat with their fingers because they think that "not all diners' fingers are equally clean." When they heard these travelers tell this funny Italian custom, many people couldn't help laughing. At that time, if someone ate with a fork in England, it would be laughed at, and so would it be for the next 1 years. Men who eat with forks will be considered a little feminine, while women who eat with forks will be said to be coquettish. It was not until the end of the 17th century that the use of forks became a common custom and keeping clean was the basic etiquette in dining occasions. However, when eating western food, if you wipe the tableware with a napkin after sitting down, it means that you don't trust the hygiene of the host or the restaurant, which will lead to the displeasure of the host. At the western banquet, the habit of cleaning the tableware conveniently is still omitted!
Placement and use of western tableware
If broken down, cups, plates, napkins, etc. are all tableware. We generally say western tableware, especially knives, forks and spoons.
the conventional arrangement of western tableware is as follows: a soup plate is placed in the middle directly opposite, with a spoon above the soup plate and the center of the spoon facing upward. Put all kinds of wine glasses and cups above the spoon. There are forks and knives on the left and right sides of the plate, and the knives and forks are placed in parallel. The bread butter plate with butter knife is at the top left, parallel to the glass. Napkins are placed in a plate, or folded and inserted into a water cup. If there are noodles in the meal, there will be a special fork and spoon placed horizontally under the plate. At a formal western banquet, each dish will be equipped with a corresponding set of tableware, and the order of serving is for reference only.