ETIQUETTE SCHOLAR
Etiquette Encyclopedia
DINING ETIQUETTE
TABLE MANNERS TIPS
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TABLE MANNERS TIP #1
- Make Good Use of Your Napkin. Place your napkin in your lap immediately upon sitting down. Unfold it while it is in your lap.
TABLE MANNERS TIP #2
- Utensil Etiquette. In most situations, use the "outside-in" rule to tell which knife, fork, or spoon to use at the dinner table. Use utensils on the outside first and work your way in with each new course.
TABLE MANNERS TIP #3
- Removing Unwanted Food from your Mouth. Food is removed from the mouth in the manner in which it is put into the mouth. Food put into the mouth with a utensil is removed with a utensil. When fingers are used to eat food, the pit or bone is removed with fingers.
TABLE MANNERS TIP #4
- Excusing Yourself. Simply say "excuse me, please; I'll be right back" when leaving for the restroom. Leaving without a word is rude.
TABLE MANNERS TIP #5
- Cutting Food. Cut your food into only one or two bite-sized pieces at a time.
TABLE MANNERS TIP #6
- Electronic Devices. Turn off or silence all electronic devices before entering the restaurant. If you forgot to turn off your cell phone, and it rings, immediately turn it off. Do not answer the call. Do not text and do not browse the Internet at the table.
TABLE MANNERS TIP #7
- Seasoning Food. When at a dinner party or restaurant, proper table manners dictate that you taste your food before seasoning it.
TABLE MANNERS TIP #8
- Speaking While Eating. If you have more than a few words to say, swallow your food, rest your fork on your plate, and speak before you resume eating.
TABLE MANNERS TIP #9
- Reaching. Items are within reach if they are within easy reach of your arm when you're leaning only slightly forward. Don't lean past the person sitting next to you (read more about passing etiquette).
TABLE MANNERS TIP #10
- Don't Drink with a Full Mouth. To avoid leaving food on the rim of the vessel, make sure the mouth is free of food and blot the lips with a napkin before taking a sip of a beverage.
TABLE MANNERS TIP #11
- Holding a Wineglass. White wine glasses are held by the stem, not the bowl. Red wine glasses may be held by the bowl.
TABLE MANNERS TIP #12
- Unfamiliar Food. (1) Wait until someone else starts to eat and follow suit. (2) Ask how the food should be eaten (fingers or fork, for example). (3) Avoid the food altogether.
TABLE MANNERS TIP #13
- Eating Quietly. Scraping a plate or loudly chewing is unpleasant to listen to and considered impolite. Smacking and slurping food are major mistakes and a sign of bad table manners.
TABLE MANNERS TIP #14
- Wayward Food. In formal dining the knife is used to push food against the fork. At informal meals, a knife or a piece of bread is used as a pusher, for example, to push salad onto a fork.
TABLE MANNERS TIP #15
- Elbows. The "no elbows on the table" rule applies only when you are actually eating. When no utensils are being used, putting your elbows on the table is acceptable.
TABLE MANNERS TIP #16
- Ordering Wine at the Right Price. Start by selecting a wine in the category you are interested in and find a wine at the price point you are comfortable with. Show the sommelier your selection and ask for his opinion, but place your finger on the price, rather than the name.
TABLE MANNERS TIP #17
- Something Caught in your Teeth. When food is caught between the teeth that is annoying or uncomfortable, wait to remove it privately.
TABLE MANNERS TIP #18
- Declined Credit Card.
Do not call attention to the situation
If your card continues to be declined, and you do not have enough cash to pay, ask to pay by check, visit the nearest ATM, or return the next day with cash.
If the restaurant declines these suggestions, you have no option but to return to the table and throw yourself on the mercy of your companions.
Repay their kindness within 24 hours, repaying them in cash.
TABLE MANNERS TIP #19
- Approaching the Table in a Restaurant. When being seated, if the maitre d’ leads the group to the table, the guests should follow the maitre d’ and the host should follow the guests. If the maitre d’ does not lead the group, the host should lead.
TABLE MANNERS TIP #20
- Sneezing, Coughing, Blowing your Nose. When sneezing or coughing at the table is unavoidable, cover your nose or mouth with a napkin and proceed as quietly as possible. Except in an emergency, don't use a napkin to blow your nose. Leave the table and use a handkerchief instead.
TABLE MANNERS TIP #21
- Reservations.
Call a day or two ahead; or a week or two ahead if the restaurant and day are popular.
Reconfirm the reservation by calling on the day of your visit.
Call the restaurant during meal hours to speak to the official reservationist.
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