Dining Etiquette A Place Mat Creative Correct Table Setting and Seating Arrangemetns

Over the Counter Etiquette
by Harold Almon
512 821-2699

A place mat can be used in lieu of a table pad and tablecloth. It is usually omitted from the table at truly formal meals. It is placed center each place setting, even with the edge of the table. It can be used center the table as an accent cloth, and/or as a material trivet.

A place mat is to be made of fabric; Damask, fine linen, lace, voile, or organdy. Each is to be washable. To make a place mat or a tablecloth colorfast, each can be soaked it in salt and water. A place mat can be made of a lesser fabric (how practical,) or of mirror (how elegant.) It may be made of plastic (for family.)

A place mat could be made of paper to fill the requirement: a tray made for someone else is to contain a place mat. And thus what you see at Micky Ds. It might then be slid of the tray to make a cover: a place setting for one. As a cost saving measure, a place mat might be placed under a glass top. It can be accompanied by a napkin placed atop the glass to the center or to the left side. This may be seen mostly in informal commercial dining rooms. It could be used in this manner for family luncheons or informal dinners to show off those latest drawings.

The table may be left bare, but it will cause much wear to an unconditioned table, and it risks the table to much repair. A set of twelve place mates is recommended for each table of ten. A set of twelve napkins is recommended for each set of place mats.