Show good taste today BY EMILY POST author of 46 E ETIQUETTE THE BLUE BOOK OF SOCIAL USAGE ETC IN THE DINING EAR mrs post Is it important benough DEAR enough to matter in which direction the lie cutting edge of the dinner knife should be laid toward the plate or away from it answer toward it because when picked up tip it comes more easily to hand all details of table setting are important because lack of precision spoils the effect of perfection exactly as even it few errors mar the whole page of a letter a 0 my dear isar mrs post I 1 had dinner the lie other night in the house ot 01 a hostess who placed napkins on the right side of the plate instead of on the left side this Is the first time I 1 have encountered the reversed practice Is it a new idea it if so Is it correct according to etiquette answer there Is no rule as to whether the napkin Is put left right or crossways above the plate all these positions are permissible only in houses of limited service in which it Is necessary that food be put at the places in houses with plenty of servants no food is put at the places before people are seated and the napkin Is put la in its correct position on the service plate dear mrs airs post A friend tells me that according to latest modern fashion your column was behind the times in saying that deputy hostesses serve the ten tea and chocolate at a formal tea introducing a debutante I 1 am told all serving Is done by servants answer I 1 have no idea whose column dmn your friend Is quoting but it was not mine never in any times have deputy hostesses poured either at a formal tea or at a wedding collation to quote my own book to in the edition published in 1922 at the most formal type of tea the ten tea table Is exactly like that at a wedding reception in that it is a large table set as a buffet and Is always in charge of the caterers cateress cater ers men or the hostess own butler or waitress and assistants it Is never presided over by deputy hostesses dear mrs post Is it necessary to use individual butter knives when bread and butter plates are not used answer of course not there would be nowhere to put them |