INTERNATIONAL DINING ETIQUETTE
Dining etiquette for toasts. The most common toast is skoal. Do not reach for your drink until the host or hostess has said skoal; at that moment, you should take your glass and raise it. Wait for the host or hostess to make the first toast; after that, you are free to propose one. It is absolutely essential when making a toast to maintain direct eye contact from the moment the glass is raised to the moment it is placed back down on the table. If many people are being toasted, go around the table with your eyes, making contact with each individual as you make the toast.
Dining etiquette for beginning to eat. Do not begin eating until the host has invited you to do so.