Etiquette for the Nosy at Dinner

Unless you have knowledge of markings of different companies, it may not only be tacky and impolite to check the makers of china plates, cups, etc… when a guest at a table, but you could accidentally break something very valuable or see a never removed discount price sticker still on the dish. If you really are enamored with a certain patterned dish or cup, etc… as a guest, you could also give the host or hostess a compliment on the dish and say that you’d love to know more about it, or something similar. Your host or hostess may be very obliging.

 Don't Turn China Over

Dear Mrs. Tobin; 

Is it proper to turn over, say a cup or plate, when dining at a friend’s home? I was severely criticized when all I wanted to do was read the manufacturer’s mark. –Curious in San Diego

 

Dear Curious: 

I think it looks crass. It would be better to tell your hostess how lovely her china is and let her fill you in on the details. If it's a pretty pattern and beautiful workmanship it really doesn’t make any difference whether it’s from a pottery in Japan, France, England or the catalog from a discount house in the United States. – By Riv Tobin, Copley News Service, 1977

🍽️Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia