Christmas 1987 I was in Dunoon, Scotland. I had met a young lady in a pub, and been invited to family dinner for Christmas.
I had never seen so much silverware! I had a plate with knives, forks and spoons jutting out at every angle; all arranged as a minefield for the etiquette challenged. Sweating, I didn't know what to start with, only remembering one hearing "start from the outside". But WHAT outside, left , right...front? I was about to panic when the grandfather said loudly, "What's all this about, Hey?" He then proceeded to take one knife, one fork and one spoon, and place them beside his plate. The rest he put in his cloth napkin, and placed it off to the side. He then took one glass (we each had 3 I think) and put the other two off to the side.
Taking a note, I copied. I placed the napkin full of silver, and 2 crystal glasses in front of my plate...as did every male at the table! Ah! The brotherhood of the nearly-housebroken swine!