Formal Table Settings: A Dark History

A litany of horrors.

For the uninitiated, a formal table setting can be a daunting sight — a dizzying forest of cutlery and stemware the function and proper use of which is uncertain. This can spark the kind of anxieties we all feel: about being judged, about lacking the refinement and savoir faire required to navigate it all. Below is a simple overview to guide you, so that the next time you receive an invitation to any formal dining occasion…