Being able to use proper dining etiquette is like studying for a history examine. It is all about reading the proper rules and then memorizing them. When the test comes (you go out to eat) you will follow through with everything you have learned and ace your test. Memorize the following steps and you'll be a pro at dining etiquette in no time. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Dress appropriately. If you are not sure what type of attire is required at the event you are scheduled to attend, call ahead and ask. Be polite and don't feel foolish about doing it. You don't have to tell the person your name just ask them what type of dress is required.
2. When you are seated at your table, immediately grab your cloth napkin and unfold it. Place it on your lap. If you ever need to get up from the table leave your napkin on your chair. It would be extremely tacky to put it back on the table.
3. The hardest thing to memorize about dining etiquette is the place setting. Once you have it mastered you won't be able to forget it even if you try. Your plate is in the middle. Everything else works around the plate. The first thing you will find above your plate and to the left is your bread plate. You may also have a butter knife going across the bread plate. Above your plate and to the right are your drinking glasses. The water glass comes first, then champaign, then wine. The last thing you will find above your plate in the middle is the dessert spoon and fork. The spoon should be on top of the fork and the tip should be facing the bread plate. The fork's tip should be facing the drinking glasses. Okay, now we must look to both sides of the plate. This is pretty easy and makes a lot of sense. On the left side of your plate you will have a salad fork and then your dinner fork. Just remember that the salad is served first so the salad fork comes first. On the right hand side of the plate you will see a dinner knife with blade pointing toward your plate, then a dinner spoon, followed by the soup spoon.
4. Make sure your food is cut in to bite sized pieces. It is rude for your guests to have to look at you with food hanging out of your mouth. The same goes for your salad. Cut it up in to bite sized pieces. If you are going to eat soup make sure you don't gulp it down. Take one spoonful at a time and carefully sip it from the spoon. Please don't make slurping noises. That is not proper etiquette. If you being served a known finger food than feel free to use your fingers.
5. If a woman gets up to use the ladies room, the men should stand up until she walks away from the table. Make sure you say, "No thank you," "Yes please," or "Would you excuse me for one moment." Manners are common sense. Think back to when you were a kid and your parents told you what was polite to say and what wasn't.
Tags: your plate, bread plate, above your, bite sized, bite sized pieces, comes first