Dining Etiquettes

A Formal Table Layout

The Napkin

BASIC RULES

1. Be on time.

2. Be appropriately dressed.

3. Be polite and smile.

4. The hostess may show you your seat at the

table.

5. Take your seat after the ladies have taken

theirs.

6. Start to eat after everyone has been served.

7. Elbows off the table!

BASIC RULES

1. Place you napkin on your lap as soon as you are seated or after your hostess has done so.

2. Wait for everyone at your table to be served before you begin to eat.

3. When passing food platters, pass them around the table from your right and never across.

4. Pushing food on to your fork with a piece of bread/roll is unacceptable as is using your fingers.

5. Never ask for items that are not presented by the

host/hostess.

6. Never draw attention to food served to you that

you can’t or won’t eat.

7. Butter bite-sized portions of bread/roll as you eat

them.

8. Bring food to mouth and not mouth to food.

9. Never request seconds. Accept them graciously

when offered.

Don’t chew with your mouth open.

Don’t talk with food in your mouth.

Don’t wipe your nose using your napkin.

Don’t leave the spoon in the cup while drinking from it.

Don’t treat your spoon and cup as musical instruments.

Enjoy your meal quietly. Don’t smack your lips.

Holding two food items in your hands is

unacceptable.

Ask someone to pass you any item that is not within

your reach.

Don’t eat from another’s plate.

Keep elbows off the table.

Never read at the table.

Never lean back on the rear legs of your chair.

Don’t mix all the food in the center of your plate.

Don’t point with your fork or knife while eating.

Leave your napkin neatly by the side before leaving

the table.

Coffee may be served in another room.

Send off thank-you notes or gifts, etc…

Never serve yourself without offering the

person on your right.

Always take the piece which is closest to you.

The soup spoon moves away from you as

you tilt the bowl away from you when

finishing soup.

Sip the soup from the side of the spoon.

It is bad manners to ask for the recipe

especially while eating.

Don’t pile up too much food on your plate

Don’t lick your fingers or smack your lips.

Don’t make a noise with the cutlery.