Silverware

Also know as "flatware" and/or "cutlery". 

How many of you have ever sat down to a dinner table and found the table set as such?

I've seen a few movies where the main character has sat down to a formal table setting also not knowing about all the silverware sitting there before them.  And a lot of times you will hear a co-star politely advise to just start with the utensils on the outside and work your way in.  Did that ever leave you sitting wondering what and why?  LOL.

Going through the silverware only starting with #5.  That is your salad fork - If a salad fork is used, it belongs to the left of the dinner fork.  Which means #6 is your Dinner fork - Placed to the left of the plate. No more than three forks to the left of the plate. If there are three forks, they are usually salad, fish, and meat, in order of use, from outside in. An oyster fork always goes to the right of the soup spoon. 

This jumps us to #7.which is your butter knife - Place horizontally on bread plate. 

#8 and #9 are you dessert spoon and cake fork.  Both to be placed above the plate.

#10 is your dinner knife - To the right of the plate. Sometimes there are multiple knives, perhaps for meat, fish, and salad, in order of use from outside in.  And following the dinner knife is #11 your tea spoon and #12 your soup spoon. 

And what is the difference you may ask? 
 Forks: A dinner fork is the standard-sized fork. The salad fork is slightly smaller than the dinner fork. A dessert fork is about the same length as the salad fork but may be narrower. The fish fork is about the length of a dinner fork but is often narrower. An oyster or shellfish fork is very small and usually has only two tines.
  Knives: The dinner knife is the standard-sized knife. The butter knife is much smaller and usually has a rounded tip. A fish knife is about the same size as a dinner knife, but it has a special tip for undressing a fish that is served with head, skin or bones. A steak knife has an extra-sharp, usually serrated, blade.
 Spoons: Generally, a soup spoon and a dessert spoon are the only spoons required. A demitasse spoon may be brought out with a cup and saucer for coffee, though using the dessert spoon is considered acceptable to stir within all but the most formal settings. Different soup spoons are available for cream soups or broths, but a standard soup spoon is usually enough. A tablespoon or place spoon may be set on a formal table if the meal requires it, and they are often used for an informal meal where no soup is served. A teaspoon is only required when there will be tea served.
The next time I happen to be invited to a fancy formal dinner I know I can confidently eat my salad with the right piece of silverware.  LOL.

Peace, Love and True Faith.