Ten General Etiquette Tips
1. Misuse of Silverware
2. Misuse of Napkin
3. The Menu
4. Breaking Bread
5. Salt and Pepper
6. Poor Posture
7. Eating Quickly
8. Picking Your Teeth
9. Talking with your Mouth Full
10. Accessories (and Lipstick) at the Table
ONE.
Misuse of Silverware.
Never grip your knife and fork like daggers -- this is a major dining no-no.
Never rest silverware partially on your plate and partially on the table. This is to prevent any kind of accident with your food. Once your pick up your silverware, it should never touch the table again.
Another important thing to remember is to never let your knife blade face outward. This is thought of as offensive to the other people at the table.
Treat your knife with care; for those of you that speak a lot with your hands, don't hold your knife while doing so. No one would want someone's eye to get poked out in the middle of a great conversation.
top
TWO.
Misuse of Napkin.
Napkins are only meant to catch food that may fall on your lap, or to lightly dab the corners of your mouth. The napkin should immediately be unfolded and placed on your lap (following your Host's lead) when starting a meal.
Until the end on the meal, it should remain as invisible to others eating with you as possible. If you are to leave the table during the meal, place the napkin on your chair and gently push your chair in.
When you are finished with your meal, place your napkin on the left side up your plate in a "neat" wad. Do not try to refold your napkin and never put your napkin on your plate.
top
THREE.
The Menu.
The menu in a dining situation may vary. If dinner is being hosted privately in which a menu has already been prepared, then you have nothing to worry about. Most probably, you were notified of the dinner choices ahead of time and were given an option of two choices along with a chance to alert the host of any allergies or special diet preferences.
If you as a guest are treated to dinner at a restaurant, then the menu may be very elaborate. If uncertain about some items on the menu, don't be afraid to ask your server about anything unfamiliar. It is part of the server's job to answer your question. Plus, it is much better to find out about a dish on the menu before it is brought to you and you realize that it is either not to your liking, or that some ingredients may be hazardous to your diet (i.e. allergens, high sodium, high sugar, etc.)
A well-mannered host will usually allow your order to be taken first and have his or her order taken last. A good server will always take women's orders first. This does, however, depend on the training of the waiter. In some situations, they are trained to take orders by going around the table in a certain sequence.
Never order one of the more expensive items on the menu unless it is in some way suggested by the host. You should also not order more courses from the menu than your host unless he or she suggests it. Because your order will mostly be taken before the host's, it may be difficult to know what to do. Just use your best instincts.
top
FOUR.
Breaking Bread.
In fine dining situations, you will be offered an individual bread roll or slices, not an entire loaf that everyone at the table will cut and pick at. The breadbasket will usually be brought out right before the main entrée is served, depending on the menu.
When the basket arrives at the table, the person closest to the basket should take the basket and pass it around the table to the right. This person should be the last person to take a roll form the basket. Always offer first.
Bread is the only part of the menu that you can eat with your bare hands. In fact, it is proper to eat bread with your hands.
Never butter an entire slice of bread before eating it and never bite your entire piece of bread. Instead, tear the bread into bite-sized pieces and butter each piece right before you plan to eat it.
top
FIVE.
Salt and Pepper.
Do not season your food before you have tasted it. Actually, one should avoid seasoning their food at all unless absolutely necessary. This is offensive to the chef or may be taken as an insult to your boss or whoever chose the restaurant.
When someone asks for the salt or pepper, never use the condiment before passing it. Also, never pass the shakers directly into the hand of the requestor. Always pass both the salt and pepper shaker (even if only one is requested) to the person on your right hand side until it gets to the person who originally asked for the seasoning. Only after that person uses the condiments may anyone else use them.
top
SIX.
Poor Posture.
Do not slouch. Sit up straight and don't sit all the way back in your chair. Food doesn't go well when you sit slumped over. And you're not as attractive to your dining companions either. Not only will you feel more comfortable when sitting up straight, but you may avoid choking on a piece of food.
top
SEVEN.
Eating Quickly.
Whether you're at McDonald's or a fine dining restaurant, eating too quickly and gulping is not only bad for your digestion, but it is very unattractive. Since dining with others is a shared experience, dining partners should generally have the same number of courses and start and finish each at about the same pace.
top
EIGHT.
Picking Your Teeth.
Never, ever pick your teeth when dining or after the meal. If it is absolutely necessary, excuse yourself and make a visit to the rest room. Remember that picking your teeth includes fingers, fingernails, toothpicks or other foreign objects doing the job.
top
NINE.
Talking with Your Mouth Full.
Talking with your mouth full is something that your mother has probably told you not to do since you were very young. This means that it must be important.
In the same way, chewing with your mouth open is also very bad manners. If you are in the middle of a conversation, don't be afraid to continue eating, after all, that is the main purpose of a meal -- to eat. Just make sure to keep your mouth closed until you swallow and then answer the question. You're companion is sure to understand.
To eliminate a long wait, take small bites, finish chewing, smile…and then carry on your part of the conversation. This is where no-no number seven is also important.
top
TEN.
Accessories (and Lipstick) at the Table.
Do not do it! This rule includes briefcases, purses, keys, gloves, hats, cell phones (which should be turned OFF and not used throughout the meal anyway) and anything else that is not part of the meal. This also means that no compacts or lipsticks should be used or opened at the table. This is why ladies call the rest room the "powder room". Make-up should be taken care of away from the table.
Why are all these accessories not allowed at the table? It is both unsightly and unsanitary.
Any kind of lipstick stain is a big no-no. Lipstick should not be left on your napkin, on your glass, on your utensils, or even on your teeth.
To prevent this from happening, don't wear lipstick or try powdering your lips before applying lipstick and then blotting them slightly. This will keep the lipstick from leaving your mouth.
If you forget to remove or blot your lipstick before you arrive at a meal, excuse yourself to the ladies room, or discreetly grab a cocktail napkin and blot.
top |
