THE ART OF “CONVIVIUM” HOW TO SIT AT THE TABLE AND HOW TO WELCOME GUESTS IPSAR G.MATTEOTTI PISA - ITALY The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.

BASIC ITALIAN “MISE EN PLACE” Undercover Tablecloth Table-cloth guard Napkin Fork Knife Water glass

COMPLETE “MISE EN PLACE” Undercover Tablecloth Table-cloth guard Placeholder Napkin Bread plate Forks Knives Spoon Dessert fork Dessert knife Dessert spoon Water glass Red and white wine glasses

WELCOMING GUEST Welcome and acknowledge customers, even if you cannot serve them immediately Bring them a menu as soon as possible

When taking guests' orders stand on their left and make notes about any special requests such as no ice or no salt Take the orders of children first, then ladies and older customers. Then continue around the table clockwise

Drinks are usually served before food and should be placed and removed from the customer's right side. Refill glasses by leaving them on the table and not picking them up or touching the rim of the glass. Carry plates to the table without touching the surface from which food is going to be eaten, the same applies to silverware

Place and remove food from the left holding plates in your left hand and making sure guests can easily reach serving dishes Never pass in front of a guest when serving or removing dishes from the table

Only clear the table when all the guests have finished eating Customers should leave their cutlery on the plate at the end of each course The same rules apply for serving food and drinks, but if there are hot drinks be careful not to overfill cups with dangerous hot liquid

Remove all dishes and cutlery used in that course starting with the serving dishes and silverware and than remove all the dishes from each person's cover If glasses on the table are empty, you should refill your neighbours' ones before yours

Before starting to eat, it is courtesy to wait for all the guests to be served but if dishes can cool down, you can invite guests to start eating Don't talk while chewing

Don't stretch your legs under the table, sit at the right distance from the table neither too close nor too far. Don't lay your elbows on the table while eating and bring the food to your mouth with the fork without bending on the dish Don't stay on the phone while eating

When clearing the table use your left hand to remove the plate, move it to your right hand Don’t keep a customer waiting for the bill. Place the bill at the centre of the table in a bill cover Thank you !