American Dining and Entertaining Etiquette; Manners for the Table

Rating:
Summary: good but scarce and non-fully illustraded advice
Review: The advice in this DVD is good: Ms. Kern spends most of the time filming a table, explaining in detail how to navigate your way in several table settings, what each utensile and plate is for, what is the correct order for glasses, how to hold the fork, etc. However, in that long sequence she is alone and the plates and glasses are empty. Thus, for instance, when she describes how to interact with the other guests at the table or deal with the food in front of you she is just describing what you should do instead of actually showing you what to do. Well a book can do that. I bought a DVD on etiquette expecting to see a display of good manners rather than, mostly, having them described to me. Nevertheless, I was not able to find a better DVD on etiquette so I would recommend this one.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting
Review: This really was a helpful video on dining etiquette. Its interesting in that you go right into Ruth's house and use her silver and china to work on your manners and presentation. Now, my one complaint was that the bulk of the video was on how the fork and knife were proportioned, napkin placed, etc. I was looking for a bit more on hostessing and entertaining, etc. You get what you pay for---you see how to set a table for luncheon, formal and dinner parties. What fork to eat with, which glass to drink from, etc. I was hoping for a more well-rounded video on all topics, as well as a greater time length. But I feel I have gained something. Try to see if you can rent it from somewhere and save your money! (Library? Video Store? Used off Amazon.com?)

Rating:
Summary: Better than VHS version!
Review: This video on American dining etiquette is essentially the same video as the VHS version of the same name; however, it is a better value because of the 'indexing.'

In other words, if you want to know 'How to hold your knife and fork' or 'How to pass items at the table,' you do not have to fast forward to get to the spot on the tape that explains that. You just have to click onto the proper index and voila, there you are.

The price of the DVD is the same as the VHS version ([$$]) but this DVD version is definitely a better value.

I am looking forward to Ms. Kern's book, "American Dining Etiquette" which is supposed to include etiquette for party giving.