Miss Manners: How should I set the table with my china?

Miss Manners: How should I set the table with my china?

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.

Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, [email protected]; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.