Dining Etiquette

Manners Do Matter Your manners speak volumes about you as a professional Body language accounts for 38% of an overall first impression Manners are indicative of social sensitivity and attention to detail

BEFORE THE MEAL

Turn off your cell phone before you leave your car Check-in and determine location of your table Find your host/table and introduce yourself to guests Shake hands with all present at the table Introduce yourself with a clear, articulate name Remain standing until host sits When all the women are seated, the men sit down Arriving at Your Destination

Place Cards & Table Numbers Individual places are designated by place by name cards at formal events Table Numbers indicate the table number you are assigned to Ask the host where he/she would prefer you sit when place cards are not provided

Napkin Use Wait for the host to unfold his or her napkin This is your signal to do the same Unfold your napkin in one smooth motion without “snapping” or “shaking” it open Wipe your mouth and fingers as necessary

Napkin Use Reserving your seat? Place napkin over the back of the chair Eating? Place the napkin in your lap Leaving but returning? Place napkin in your chair Done with your meal? Place unwadded napkin next to your plate

Never spit bad food or gristle into your napkin – Remove the food from your mouth using the same utensil it went in with – Place it on the edge of your plate and if possible, cover it with other food from your plate Napkins and Being Gross!

Do not blow your nose into your napkin Excuse yourself and go to the restroom When sneezing or coughing is unavoidable, cover your nose or mouth with a napkin and proceed as quietly as possible

Ready to Order/Eat To show you are ready to order, close your menu and place it on the table If there are items on the menu you are uncertain about, ask your server Order familiar foods you like and ones that are easy to eat such as chicken, fish, or salads; avoid hard-to-eat foods

Let your host’s order set the price When in doubt, order a mid-range priced item Do not order alcoholic beverages – even if everyone else does

Dietary Restrictions When you send your RSVP, let your host know ahead of time if you have special dietary restrictions If you’re the host, check with your guests on vegetarian options or food allergies If there is something you don’t care to eat, just say “no thank you” or do not eat it

DURING THE MEAL

4-Course Meal First Course: Soup Second Course: Salad Third Course: Entrée Fourth Course: Dessert

Reading the Table Setting

Use of Utensils (Silverware) Starting with the knife, fork, or spoon that is farthest from your plate, work your way in, using one utensil for each course The salad fork is on your outermost left, followed by your dinner fork Your soup spoon is on your outermost right, followed by your beverage spoon, salad knife and dinner knife Your dessert spoon and fork are above your plate or brought out with dessert Remember: work from the outside in

Once you have used a piece of silverware, never place it back on the table Do not leave a used spoon in a cup; place it on the saucer or soup plate When finished, leave the plate where it is in the place setting To show you have finished your meal lay your fork and knife diagonally across your plate

Basic Table Manners Always say “please” and “thank you” Never apply or reapply makeup at the table Turn your cell phone OFF, and keep it out of sight You should not leave your table to socialize with another table If coffee or tea is placed on the table, the person nearest the pot should offer to pour, filling his or her own cup last

Do not slurp soup Spoon the soup away from you when you take it out of the bowl and sip it from the side of the spoon If your soup is too hot to eat, let it sit until it cools; do not blow on it

Don’t make a sandwich with your rolls Eat rolls or bread by tearing off small bite size pieces and buttering only the piece you are preparing to eat Wineglasses are held by the stem, not the bowl

The Passing Game If an item is within your reach, pass it counter clockwise (to the right) If you cannot reach something, politely ask the person to pass it Don’t reach in front of the person sitting next to you Salt and pepper are passed as a set Place the butter directly on the plate to avoid constantly asking for butter Remember to say “please” and “thank you”

Posture Sit up straight at the table. It makes a good impression Don’t tip your chair back Do not hunch your shoulders or slouch back in your chair

Fidgeting and Elbows Keep your hands in your lap or resting on the edge of the table when you are not eating Refrain from fidgety habits Always keep your hands away from your hair

Eating Do not arrive at a business luncheon famished Wait until everyone at your table has been served before you begin eating Don’t forego the meal

Cut your meat one piece at a time Take small bites Scraping a plate or loudly chewing ice is considered impolite. Be courteous and eat quietly Never chew with your mouth open Never talk with your mouth full

Do not eat food from someone else’s plate Don’t be tempted to feed someone your food or reach over to spear something off their plate Don’t over indulge; this is not your last meal Don’t ask to finish anyone else’s food

Conversation Tips Be aware of current events Table conversations should be pleasant but entirely free of controversial topics Avoid topics that are too personal such as religion, politics, and health issues Safe topics to discuss are the weather, traffic, and travel

Don’t bring up gossip Don’t dominate the conversation Never use foul language

Excusing Yourself When you need to get up to go to the restroom, it isn’t necessary to say where you are going A simple “Excuse me, please; I’ll be right back” is sufficient Leaving without saying a word is rude

AFTER THE MEAL

It’s okay to assume the host will pick up the tab, however, bring enough money to cover your meal Never make an issue about the bill or the tip Make sure you thank the host for the meal Shake hands before you leave and maintain good eye contact When You Are Finished Eating

Thank You Note Follow up with a written thank you note to the host of the meal Send within 24 hours Mention something that was discussed during the meal However you received the invitation is how you send the thank you (Example: invite = thank you)

Start to Finish Guidelines Upon receiving an invitation, if the hosts asks for an RSVP, give one If you can no longer attend, let the host know Figure out how long it will take to get to your destination and parking Find out ahead of time the proper attire

Electronic Devices Turn off or silence all electronic devices before entering the restaurant If you forget to turn off your cell phone, and it rings, immediately turn it off. Do not answer the call Do not text Do not browse the internet at the table

Many people are EDUCATED but not totally MANNERED