DINING ETIQUETTES
In this age where caution is being thrown to the wind; it is still a thing of honour to be found well mannered especially in social surroundings where it is required. None however fits the bill more than table manners because to be courteous is easy but knowing how to properly dine might actually be more of an issue. Listed below is some general dining etiquette.
- Cut your food into little bits and eat it one at a time.
- Grasp the stem of your glass cup using your thumb and your first two fingers. Only large stemmed glasses are held with the aforementioned fingers but at the bowl.
- Start eating with the flatware farthest from your plate. It is usually the spoon for soups and a small fork and on like that.
- Never blow on hot soup to cool it.
- The smallest fork is meant for the salad and it should be held daintily like a fork not like a butcher’s knife.
- Your napkin is to be placed neatly on your laps and only folded if it is big. It is not meant for wiping any dirty ware .
- When you have finished eating fold the napkin and place on the left side on the table.
- If your silverware is dirty request for another one from the waiters don’t attempt to wipe yours.
- Wait until food has been served round before you commence eating.
10. Don’t rush your food.
11. Should you find yourself out of place, wait and follow other people’s lead.
12. Sit straight without resting your elbows on the table.
13. Food is passed to the right.
14. The forks are usually on the left and they should be used by your left hand while the knife and spoon by your right should be used with your right hand.
15. If you have to remove what you have taken into your mouth do so using your spoon and put it by the edge of your plate as inconspicuously as possible.
16. Any unwanted material in your mouth like bone, dirt should be left by the edge of your plate after removing it with your fingers.
17. Chew your food with minimum noise and swallow with as little fuss as possible.
18. Never bow down over your plate while eating.
19. When you have finished eating, place the knife and fork close together with the fork on the left, mouth up, knife on the right with cutting edge facing the fork.
20. If there is a host or hostess you are expected to follow his or her lead.
