Romans invited odd numbers of guests. They believed that even numbers meant dispute. Nowadays in Western countries an even number of men and women is referred - to help the flow of conversation and communication.

In the ancient Middle East, a host would pour perfumed oil over the heads of his guests. This was to mark their passage from the 'dirty' outside to the 'pure' inside.

In ancient Greece and Rome, guests at a banquet wore wreaths of plaited flowers and leaves. They believed these would prevent drunkenness.

In early northern Europe, feasts were male affairs. The men would get very drunk. Among the ancient Celts the thighbones of a bird were reserved for the most important guests. Men would fight to the death over thighbones.

In 19th-century Paris, if a guest failed to tern up at a party, a professional guest could be hired to take his place.

Modern dining forks were invented in Italy. They were brought to Europe in the 17th century by Thomos Coryat. When Coryat showed the fork to his friends they laughed at the new invention. However, only 50 years later people in England begin to use forks.

Fingers are sure to be very useful for handing food, but they are blunt and they get sticky and dirty. Knives were the first pieces of cutlery to be used. The first crude stone knives were made perhaps three million years ago. Some Stone Age wooden forks may date from as long ago as 7000 BC.

It was once traditional for a male guest to be given an envelope containing the name of a lady he was to accompany to the table. The couple would then walk to the table together.

The first chopsticks appeared in China during the Shang dynasty (1600-1028 BC). They were considered superior to knives because they were used by scholars, who were more highly thought of than warriors who carried knives.