Formal Dinner Etiquette of 1952

A formal dinner setting — From “Your Reference Book of Silver Etiquette” by Emily Post for the Home Decorators Consultants, 1952

The truly formal dinner, the most ceremonious social function that exists, is rarely given by the American hostess of today.In fact, it is safe to assume that the formal dinner is now given only on State occasions in the few remaining great houses of this present day.

All other dinner parties, including the buffet dinner, may, therefore, be classed as informal dinners, regardless of how elaborate they may be. Too few of us have the houses, the servants, or the purses necessary to permit us to follow every last, exacting rule required by the formal dinner. For example: 

At the formal dinner butter is never served; rolls are placed on the tablecloth— never on a bread and butter plate; there must be a footman at least for every four chairs at the table.

However, all the correct rules governing the dinners originate with the formal pattern which is modified to suit the possibilities of each hostess. She may give her dinner parties whatever degree of formality she wishes, or finds practical. — From the Home Decorators Consultants, 1952

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