Table Glasses Correct Creative Table Setting and Seating Assignments Dining Etiquette

Over the Counter Etiquette
by Harold Almon
Be at Ease School of Etiquette Austin
512-821-2699

The water glass is to be placed above the right tip of the plate position. In a commercial dining room each may be set upside down, and turned right side up just before people come to the table. In a private home the water glass is set in place and filled before people come to the table. It can be re-filled after people are seated. When a guest is to be at table a water glass is to be set at each setting.

The red wineglass is placed to the right of the water glass and in triangular alignment to it. Each can be moved a little to the right. The red wine glass is to be used when wine is to accompany an entree: a red wine for red meat or fowl, or with a white wine for poultry, pork, or fish. Informally the red wineglass is filled with the choice of wine selected by the host. It is refilled as required during the meal. The white wineglass is placed to the right of the red wineglass, and in triangular alignment with it. It is used when wine is to be served with fish as a course (on a smaller plate.) It may be omitted. The sherry glass is placed to the right of the red wineglass. It can be placed to the right of the white wineglass if it is used, and in alignment with other glasses. It is used when sherry is to accompany a soup course. Sherry and the sherry glass may be omitted.

A champagne glass, flute or saucer shaped, is to be used for champagne to be served with dessert. It is to be set to the right of and higher than the water glass. It is to be filled during the dessert course. Note: no more than five glasses are to be used in one place setting. Once any glass is chipped it is to be removed from table service.

In a commercial dining room, the coffee mug or (tea) cup and saucer is set to the right of the third or number three spoon, handle pointed to five o'clock. The bottom of the saucer is set one inch up from the edge of the table.

In a home, it is brought in to the table when coffee is served. It may be preset at the table at breakfast and for very informal meals in alignment with or above other glassware.

Formally, these items are replaced by demitasse, coffee cups and saucers passed with or after dessert.

Suggestions are Demitasses: coffee or decaffeinated coffee. In the United States of America, a universal item available with most United States meals is coffee. Formally, the set up for coffee in the place setting is omitted, or is optional at best.

The rule of four: of the five no more than (four) glasses are to be set in a place setting at any one time. Each is to be placed according to the size of the plate and order of the course to be used with it.

Glassware

Glassware (OK each glass) is to be made of crystal, which are silica, potash, lead. It can glass, which is sand, soda, and lime. It may be made of hard plastic, for babies, poolside, and for barbeques. It is to be plain, thin, clear, an appropriate size, have a round bowl, and a pain stem and base. It is to have enough charm to hold someone’s interest.

Eighteen glasses are to be acquired for each table of six. Two sets of six are to be in different sizes.

The set of twelve glasses will allow you a universal glass for a pre-dinner drink and a water or red wine glass for the table. The third set of six will allow the etiquette: that a water glass is to be in a place setting when a guest is at your table. The set of eighteen can allow each person at table to have three choices of drink.

Glassware which has water spots is to be rinsed with white vinegar. Lime stains are to be boiled in a warm white-vinegar solution for ten minutes. Rust is to be inserted in a raw onion, rubbed on a cork, dipped in olive oil, or soaked in a solution of lemon juice and salt.

Glassware is to be washed by hand and dried by air. It can be dried by hand carefully with a soft cloth. The sink may be lined with a rubber mat or with a hand towel. Glassware can be washed in a dishwasher. It could be stored right side up on shelving paper.

Glassware is to be used. Broken, chipped, (stolen and/or glass smashed in a fireplace after a toast to the bride, at a bachelor party, when it could serve no higher purpose, can be replaced. This last act though noble may be omitted.