DEAR MISS MANNERS: When I entertain, whether on holidays with family or for dinners with friends, I like to use my good china and crystal. But we usually have drinks and appetizers first, so people already have wineglasses or cocktail tumblers before dinner.

I usually just put water goblets on the table, instructing those who want water with the appetizers to take a goblet from the table. If I set the table with wineglasses, people would end up with two.

Do you have any other recommendations as to how to set the table?

GENTLE READER: Presuming that two glasses per person would overtax the china cabinet, you could start with all the glasses on the table and then pilfer wineglasses as you serve the before-dinner drinks. This may require a slight reshuffling when people get to the table, but it will keep the guests entertained while you assign them their seats.

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