Damsel in dis Dress wrote:

>
>> My mother was always one for reserved proper etiquette at the table, and
>>IMHO, it has been the deal-maker in many instances.
>
>
> We had a plate, paper napkin, and properly placed knife, fork, and spoon,
> even if we were just having tomato soup and a grilled cheese sandwich. And
> if you improperly reached for something, she'd stab the back of your hand
> with a fork. Emily Post, eat your heart out!

My father always insisted on a properly set table
(cloth or mat, fork/knife/spoon, S&P, wine
glass..) and one of the saddest things I
witnessed after my mother died was watching him
set the table for just himself. I guess it was
somewhat of a ritual because he just couldn't
(didn't want to) relax his standards. He just
wasn't really used to dining alone, I think that
is one reason why he married again sort of quickly.
Goomba