Good Manners TABLE MANNERS AT A DINNER PARTY

Tasks: Learn to apologize to people Talk about good table manners

Rules of being polite in Chinese culture

A western dinner party

Things on a formal dinner table knives and forks napkin glasses spoons plates bread roll white wine red wine water soup dessert

In what order will the dishes be served? dessertdrinks main course startersoup 45312

Rules for starter: pray keep silent use small pair knife – right fork – left

Rules for eating soup: use the big spoon never ask for a second serving

Rules for main course: use fingers when eating chicken never touch beef finish eating everything never take more food than you need

Rules for dessert: use small spoons

Rules for drinking: soft drinks if driving home drink white or red wine with the food raise glasses when drinking to one’s health never touch glasses take only a sip never drink too much

Rules for talks and smiles: speak quietly smile a lot never laugh all the time

Old table manners in China: women were not allowed to eat at the table give the guests as much wine as possible to drink impolite if you eat up all the food on the plates seats arranged according to the age or importance of the guests make 8 – 12 dishes for each table

Table Manners I know As soon as the hostess picks up her napkin, pick yours up and lay it on your lap. Sometimes a roll of bread is wrapped in it; if so, take it out and put it on your side plate.

The Soup Course Dinner usually begins with soup. The largest spoon at your place is the soup spoon. It will be beside your plate at the right-hand side.

The Fish Course If there is a fish course, it will probably follow the soup. There may be a special fork for the fish, or it may be similar to the meat fork. Often it is smaller.

The Meat Course The main Course is usually served by the host himself, especially if it is a bird or a roast which need to be cut. He will often ask each guest what piece he prefers, and it is quite proper to state your preference as to lean or fat, dark or light.

Using Knife and Fork If you have English and American friends you will notice a few differences in their customs of eating. For the main or meat course, the English keep the fork in the left hand, point curved downward, and bring the food to the mouth either by sticking the points onto it or in the case of soft vegetables, by placing it firmly on the fork in this position with the knife. Americans carve the meat in the same position, then lay down the knife and taking the fork in the right hand with the point turned up, push it under a small piece of food without the help of the knife and bring it to the mouth right-side-up.

Helping Yourself and Refusing If a servant passes food around, he will pass the dish in at your left hand so that you can conveniently serve yourself with your right hand. Never serve yourself while the dish is on your right; it is then the turn of your neighbor on the right. It is polite to take some of everything that is passed to you. But if there is something you may not like, you may quietly say: "No thank you."

Second Helpings The hostess may or may not ask if you would like a second helping, according to the formality of the meal. If she does and you accept it, you should pass your plate to her or to the servant with the knife and fork still lying on it.

The Salad Course A salad is eaten with a fork only held in the right hand with points turned up. There is usually a special one for the salad, a little smaller than the meat fork.

Bread and Butter Bread is taken in the fingers and laid on the side plate or the edge of the large plate, it is never taken with a fork. Butter is taken from the butter dish with the butter knife and placed on the side plate, not on one's bread.

Other Things on the Table When there are things on the middle of the table, such as bread, butter, jelly, pickles, candies, you should not take any until the hostess also suggested that they be passed.

Leaving the Table It is impolite for a guest to leave the table during a meal, or before the hostess gives the signal at the end. When the hostess indicates that the dinner is over, she will start to rise from her seat and all the guests rise from theirs at the same time.

Various rules and Suggestions Sit up straight in your chair; Do not put much food in your mouth at a time; Drink only when there is no food in your mouth; Try not to get into your mouth anything that will have to be taken out; Do not make any noise when you eat; Do not clean your teeth at the table or anywhere in public, either with your finger or a tooth pick, not even with your tongue.