DEAR MISS MANNERS: When I am having guests for afternoon tea, do I use little plates, with the teacups set on top of them, or do I use little plates plus the teacups set on their matching saucers?
GENTLE READER: The cups and saucers are correctly placed on top of the little plates, sometimes with a tiny napkin in between saucer and plate. This is especially convenient for any of your guests who have three hands with which to hold the filled food plate and the saucer while drinking from the teacup.
(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)