The question assumes that you are in mixed company and not just by yourself at your home.
It depends.
- If you are dining, then place it on the far side of your plate.
- If you are sitting at a table, but not dining, then place it approximately halfway between the dining position and the table edge.
- If you are standing by the table, then I’d go with about 4"-6" from the table edge.
- If you are standing by the table in a high traffic area, then I’d go with 6"-8".
- If you notice someone nearby who is particularly animated when speaking, then I’d aim for the centre of the table.
This answer assumes the table in question is a dining table. Coffee tables are a whole different kettle of fish; and don’t even get me started on side tables, bureaus and credenzas!
Edit: formatting
I need to know your credenza rules
You are not ready for the credenza rules.
This is true. I’m still working on the rules around what constitutes a credenza.
This is fantastic. I want to lick your brain (in an appreciative and consensual way).
I found I disagreed strongly, but that was for standing tables, for dining tables I agree without reservation. Well phrased!
It’s better to have a reservation when dining.
It’s also better to keep the brain encased in the skull
Also be mindful of big dogs with waggy tails
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The height of the glass must be equal to approximately 1.6 times the distance from the edge, so that it achieves the golden ratio
Are felines present?
No, only adult humans.
Maybe out of elbow reach.
According to my daughter, ‘almost falling off’ is the correct distance.
Yep, this one here. I always move them away from the edge and after the kids take a sip, it’s right there on the edge again.
According to my kids, it matters not at all because it’s going to get spilled anyway.
Due to unruly kids: At least two times the glasses hight away from the edge so at least the glass won’t drop to the floor.
You can’t prevent the kids from turning the table into wetlands but at least spare yourself shards and other trouble.
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With the centre of gravity of the glass of water on top of the table.
It’s never socially acceptable to have a spilled glass of water.
Not closer than 1/3rd the height of the glass.
However close you trust it. If you own the home, that’s your call.
Index finger away
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These two users typed the same thing
12 inches seems a bit much
He said length, not width.
The distance that, if while holding the glass base, you would be comfortable pushing yourself up from your seat (ulnar side down), before breaking the upper part of the glass in order to stab at someone who doesn’t share the same political views as you.
2 bananas from the edge
Only one way to find out.
As a host or even as a guest, your goal is to not cause discomfort to your company. So don’t put the glass so close to the edge that people start to worry about it
That is exactly why I asked the question. How far away from the edge is that tough? The question comes from a friend that sometimes places his glass with an overhang, something I personally find psychotic.
that friend shall be casually provided a plastic tumbler sippy cup.
Then you know the answer. The answer what would make you comfortable. Your friend is psychotic with overhanging glasses.
It’s difficult to give you an exact answer cuz it depends on the group of people. Some people don’t care about overhanging glasses some people do.
At a restaurant where nobody’s responsible for cleanup, the overhanging glass becomes less of your problem and more of an interesting thing. If you saw an overhanging glass on another table would you go over and correct it? No
If your friend is persistently doing this, and they won’t take feedback, put a little lip around the edge of your table so the glass can’t hang off the edge
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5 cm default, +5 for each child present if table height allows them to reach
