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Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Is The Napkin To The Left of the Plate Or To The Right Of The Plate...........

I have set the table with the Napkin:
On the right of the plate
In the center of the plate
Underneath the salad plate
In the wine glass
Underneath the serving plate

What is the correct placement if you lay the napkin down by the plate, is it to the right or the left. In watching Christopher Lowell his take is to put the napkin to the left. What do you think?

Post just in time for Susan's tablescape thursday!

Picture are from Photo Search and I give them full credit for there beautiful tablescapes. Check them out!









17 comments:

Alisa Lucas-Brown said...

Hi Blossom!
I am like you. I have placed the napkin in every conceiveable place and have liked them all. While some may say it goes to the left of the plate when looking at the placesetting, I say it goes where ever you want to put it to complement your tablescape. Last week I even stood mine up to resemble a little octopus, this went along with my beachy theme table. I say do whatever makes you smile!
Warmly,
Alisa

Bo said...

Hi Blossom...glad to see you posting again...well, this is funny...I just posed this very question to Miss Janice @ http://etiquettewithmissjanice.blogspot.com/ and I understand she's got a blog planned about this very subject...for some reason I thought the napkin was to be placed under the silverware/flatware to the right of the dinner plate...oh no! Wrong!
Of course, the people we have to dinner don't know the difference, but I'd really like to be in the know...check out Miss Janice's blog if you get a chance! ;-) Bo

Nicol said...

Those are beautiful settings and how I love a good napkin. Wish I could convince my near 2yr old to use one.

I believe it is correct that the napkin is on the left. I usually put it on the dinner plate, but also depends on how I fold it.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Wow, I didn't know if I was right or wrong, but I always put the napkin on the right, and now I see that most think it goes on the left. Good to know. Hugs, Marty

Ldy ~~ Dy said...

I just was asking myself that question today because I am preparing my Tablescape Thursday.I meant to google it or something along those lines...but then I got busy. I understand Miss Janice will be posting something on it too! I tend to place it on the plate or above the plate. Great post! Huggy Hugs!

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

GM Anita..Girl I don't care where its at so long as I have one..and If someone notices when they come to my home for dinner that I did it wrong they best enjoy the meal because it will be the last one they get at my house Ha ha!! glad to see you back gir...hows your Mama doing?? I pray for her and your family all the time..hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Terrie's Lil' Piece of Serenity said...

Blossom, I love your post. I think traditionally the correct placement is to the left of your plate. But, today anything goes!
Hugs, Terrie

Nancy Rosalina said...

I say it goes where ever! I have used it in differnet places, However I am not much of a table setter. Sounds like a question for Miss Janice, she will know without a doubt!!!! Nancy

Wendy said...

Hi Blossom! Thanks for coming by to visit me. Maybe I can help with your napkin question. I am a graduate of the Protocol School Of Washington (the same as Miss. Janice) and the Etiquette Leadership Institute of Athens, GA. The napkin goes to the left of the fork which is on the left side of the plate. It may also go on top of the plate (informal). If you are not prefilling the glasses it may go in the glass (informal). It never goes to the right of the plate. I hope this helps!
Warm regards,
Wendy

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Hi Blossom,
Thanks for coming by and the comments on Mackinac Island Post. I love it just like you and we did go see the falls! Aren't they awesome! I like your blog, I'll be back. Cindy

Helen said...

Hi there! I saw your question to Susan and thought I would share how I do this ... on the bottom left of the post you are preparing will be POST OPTIONS, click on it right there and then on the right bottom a little lower will be the place you determine when and what time your post will be live.

FrenchGardenHouse said...

I agree, that's what's fun about this day and age, the "rules" are meant to be broken, and we all do. For fun. Anywhere and everywhere is where the napkin goes. {But for every day settings, I put mine on the Right side!}
Lidy

Jill said...

Hi Blossom!

I am not one to give tips on table setting. :) I like to sit at a table that someone else has set. LOL! You can put it anywhere!

Helen said...

Good Morning Blossom ... I would love to tell you I am comfortable adding the reader comments feature on my sidebar ~ but I haven't mastered that quite yet. Every time I give serious thought to getting serious ... I get cold feet thinking I will somehow completely ruin my entire layout and never get it all back .... I glad I helped you with the posting issue ... have a great day.

Anonymous said...

Hi Blossom! I too place my napkin all over the place, but I think when it's own the table, it's supposed to be on the left hand side with the forks! Lovely tables and thanks for popping in to see me.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

I think Emily Post likes it to the left, but I like that now you can move it whereever just for looks!!! Love the tablescapes...hugs...Debbie

Anonymous said...

Oh my gosh, this is going to sound awfully snobbish but, the napkin always goes to the left of the plate next to the silverware. It is appropriate to place it underneath the forks in a less formal meal. However the correct position for the napkin is beside the silverware (forks) and to the left of the plate. NEVER to the right!!