How to properly butter your bread!
When my darling grandchildren from Germany visited this summer, I noticed they buttered their entire piece of bread or biscuit at the dinner table, versus the American etiquette of buttering only one bite-sized piece at a time. (They have polished table manners thanks to their parents, who insist on a sit-down dinner together every night… practice, practice!) Etiquette varies in different countries, which inspired me to write about bread and butter protocol in America.
Millennials, if you are invited to a business dinner…let’s brush up on your “bread and butter” skills. (Pssst… this little secret speaks volumes about your table manners.) Take it or leave it, but at least you will be aware of this simple polished gesture!
When bread is served to you, take the piece of bread and place it onto your butter plate, which is to the left of your dinner plate, and let it rest for a moment. Then, break or tear one piece at a time with your fingers. Never cut your bread with a knife. Take the piece that you have broken off and butter it. And then, eat one “buttered piece” at a time!
Where should the butter knife be placed on an individual butter plate?
The butter knife is placed on the butter plate at the 10 and 2 o'clock position, with the blade pointed towards the diner. In England, it is placed at the 12 and 6 o’clock position, with the blade facing to the left, away from the dinner plate.
Any more ideas for individual butter plates?
Butter plates can be an amusing adornment on your table! For example, a glass "leaf-shaped" plate for the fall and in the spring, add an edible flower on top of the butter. For Christmas, two “holly” leaves decorate my butter plates (without the poisonous red berries!). In the summer, I add a few tiny mint or basil leaves from the garden.
Uniquely shaped butter molds will enhance your butter plates too.
Forbidden Faux Pas
No-No: To hold your butter knife high above the butter plate while breaking or buttering the bread.
What is done: Keep all flatware as close to any plate as possible. Flatware should not be flying above the place setting, ever. Discreetly break your bread, hold it just barely above the plate, and butter it. Return the butter knife to the plate in the same position that it was placed when you sat down at the table.
Butter makes everything taste better, right? Thank you, Julia Child!
Xx
Holly