Basic Dining Etiquettes and Table Manners

PART - III


- The most appropriate way of using spoon or a fork is to balance them between the first knuckle of the middle finger and the tip of the index finger while using the thumb to steady the handle.

- The knife is used with the tip of the index finger gently pressing out over the top of the blade.

- Hold the fork with your left hand and spoon or knife with your right. 

For Muslims it is advisable to hold the fork with right hand and knife or spoon with left hand.

-  Finishing your meal is to be indicated by placing the fork and knife or spoon horizontally on the plate, parallel to each other, facing away from you.

-  To eat your soup, half fill the soup-spoon, move it away from your body and sip it from the side of the spoon.

-  When the finger bowl is presented to you, discretely dip your fingers in the water and gently dab them with the napkin.

At the end of the meal, let the waiter clear all your plates from the table and then lay the napkin at the centre of the table.

When invited to a lunch or dinner, always be on time to arrive and do not keep your host on the tenterhooks of waiting that could be an irritating misdemeanor.

The above dining etiquettes and table manners would soon become a characteristic of your personality and enhance your social image. 

Basic Dining Etiquettes and Table Manners

 PART - II

- The serving tongs should not be dipped into the tea/coffee cup while adding sugar or sweetener.

- Place your teaspoon on the saucer, after stirring sugar or sweetener into your tea or coffee.

- Never blow on your tea or coffee.  Let the hot cup of tea or coffee cool off on the table.  It is strictly against dining etiquettes to slurp while you drink anything.

- Remember to put your napkin on the left of your plate or on your chair with the soiled part facing down if you have to leave table unintentionally.

- In case that you drop your napkin on the floor inadvertently, never try to pick it up.  Instead, signal to the waiter whoever is serving to supply you with a fresh one.

- If and when necessary, just dab your napkin lightly on your lips.  Do not ever scrub your mouth with it.

- Never stretch across the table to pick up something.  Politely ask the nearest person to pass it to you.  And if you are requested to pass something, pick it up and place it near the person next to you.

- Passing table items hand-to-hand is not good.  Use the items that you have requested for yourself, not the ones requested by others.

- Do not talk with your mouth full of food or while you are chewing it.  Properly cover your mouth if there is a need to cough or sneeze.

- Putting part of your upper arm on the table is ok but do not rest your elbows on the table.

- Avoid spitting out anything if necessary.  Put it on the fork and place in on your plate.

Basic Dining Etiquettes and Table Manners

Part - I

While more and more people are turning to dining out these days, it is of the essence that besides improving yourself, you teach your children formal dining etiquettes and table manners.

There is nothing wrong in desiring to pick up the basics of etiquettes of different events and occasions at any stage of life especially if you or your children or friends are not already well acquainted with them.

Lack of appropriate knowledge and practice of table manners may spoil your image particularly if you attend parties frequently either with friends or business colleagues.

A loutish behaviour on the occasion of a company dinner or a lunch with an important client could ruin your personality and cause you irreparable damage.

There is not much difference in table manners whether you are a host or a guest.  In either case you have to follow almost the same dining etiquettes.

Basic and Common Table Manners

- When you are comfortably seated, simply pull out the napkin from its setting; decently unfold it to place on your lap.  Tucking the napkin into collar is only seen in old movies.  Always avoid doing so. 

- People who rarely dine out have been noticed to be a bit shy in eating finger foods with fingers.  They assume it is against etiquettes to eat anything with a finger at such places like restaurants and party dinners.

Bacon, fried chicken, small fruits, French fries, chips, bread, cookies, sandwiches, berries, cubed cheese, corn on the cob, nuts, olive, pickles, hors d’oeuvres, muffins and casual pizza without much topping are all finger foods. It is perfectly fine to eat them with fingers.

- It is rather preferable to bite off pieces of larger chunks and use a fork or a spoon if they are muddled with toppings or other savories.

- Do not put an entire sandwich or a burger into your mouth even if it is small in volume.  Eating it in small bites lets your palate feel the real taste of every ingredient and spice.