At a small dinner party, do not start to eat until all guests are served. At a large dinner party, you may start to eat as soon as those near you have been served. Do not eat too fast. Do not talk while you have food in your mouth, and keep the mouth closed while you chew your food. Elbows should not be put on the table when you are eating (however, between courses at a restaurant, if you cannot hear your companion, it is permissible to lean forward on your elbows) If silver is dropped on the floor, leave it there. If an accident happens at the table, apologize briefly to your hostess. The hostess continues to eat as long as her guests do. When all have finished, she rises from the table and the others follow.