On Wed, 10 Nov 2010 06:23:46 -0800, "The Ranger"
> wrote:

> Goomba > wrote in message
> ...
> > sf wrote:
> >> I absolutely hate family style, but I do require a properly set table
> >> - fork on the left, knife on the right, napkin (folded) and placed
> >> *under* the fork.
> > Just a small point but... napkins aren't supposed to be under the fork but
> > rather on the left side of the fork. You're not supposed to have to move
> > utensils to get to the napkin, especially since the napkin should be the
> > first thing touched (when opened up in ones lap) after sitting down.
>
> Hmm. The three cookbooks (Pillsbury 1963, BH&G 1959, Betty Crocker 1965,
> 1970) from my Sainted Mother(tm) are incorrect in their
> display/illustrations and accompanying text if this is true.
>
Must be a Southern thing. I've never heard of it, but Emily Post says
"The napkin is folded or put in a napkin ring and placed either to the
left of the forks or on the center of the dinner plate. Sometimes, a
folded napkin is placed under the forks". She also calls this an
*informal* table setting
http://emilypost.com/component/content/article/371 Placing a napkin
under the fork is more common than old Emily thought, but she ran with
the Rockefellers and Vanderbilts so I don't think she was in touch
with commoners who weren't servants.

--

Never trust a dog to watch your food.