Do You Have Good Table Manners?

An attractive table is a sign of the cook's or the host's pride and respect for you.

Check to make it sure the silverware is clean.

Hold silverware by the handles so you do not touch the eating surfaces.

Put each piece of silverware on the correct place by the plate.

Fork - to the left of the plate.

Knife - to the right of the plate. (Sharp edge towards the plate.)

Spoon – to the right of the knife.

Napkin – to the left of the fork.

Napkin Manners

1. Open your napkin and put it on your lap.

2. When you leave the table during a meal, place your napkin on the chair, not on the table.

3. When the meal is over, pick up your napkin, wipe your mouth, and place it on the table to the left of your plate.

Fork and Knife Manners

1. When there are several pieces of cutlery beside the plate, you start on the outside for the first course.

2. Put food into your mouth with your fork and not with your knife. Never lick your knife. It's dangerous!

3. While you are eating put the knife and the fork you are using on the edge of your plate. Try not to lay them down on the table at anytime.

4. After you have cut off one piece of food, lay your knife down on the edge to the inside. Cut only one piece of food at a time.

5. Place your fork and knife on your plate apart [like this (/\)] while talking or when you are resting between bites. This shows that you have not finished eating.

6. Place your fork and knife side by side in the middle of the plate handle to the right [like this (\\)] when you have finished your food. Do not put them on the tablecloth. This shows that you have finished and the plate can be removed.

Spoon Manners

1. After you stir your tea with a spoon, place it on the saucer. It is not polite to leave it in a cup.

Table Manners

1. Offer others before you help yourself.

2. Ask the people around you kindly to pass things that are out of your reach; then, thank them.

3. Whenever you are asked, pass the things as quickly and as kindly as possible.

4. Sit up straight and do not put your elbows on the table while you are eating.

5. Never talk with your mouth full.

6. If you need to take something out of your mouth, like a bone, or a seed you should carefully place it on your spoon. After you have put the bone or a seed onto your spoon empty it onto your plate.

7. When you are drinking with a straw, do not make a loud noise.

8. Only talk about nice things at the dinner table.

9. If you sneeze or cough while you are at the table, turn your head away from the food and cover your mouth.

10. Finally, don't forget to say, "Thank you."

 

When Invited to a dinner

 Here are a few tips to help you know how to behave at a dinner. First of all, you should always arrive on time. Even 15 minutes late is impolite! If you are going to be late, call your host or hostess ahead of time. It is also not polite to come early. It is always nice to bring your host or hostess something such as flowers, but it is not necessary.

When in the dining room, don't take a seat until you host or hostess shows you where to sit. Unfold the napkin that is beside your plate and put it on your lap. Bowls of food are usually passed from person to person around the table. People serve themselves.

Sometimes before eating, someone may say grace, or prayers. During grace you should bow your head and remain silent. You can start eating when the host or hostess does. In England and America it is considered rude to begin eating before everyone has been served.

Take part in the conversation, but don't talk with your mouth full. If someone asks you a question while your mouth is full, finish chewing before you answer the question.

Do not reach in front of someone for a dish, the salt, or the pepper. Simply say, "Please, pas the salt."

Always compliment the cook by saying, "The meal is delicious / wonderful!" When you are leaving, thank youк host or hostess by saying, "Thank you for a nice evening. I enjoyed it very much."

The British often send a thank-you note usually with a box of chocolate for the hostess afterwards.

True o к False?

1. When invited punctuality is not important.

2. You can sit anywhere you'd like at the dinner table.

3. You can start eating when your host or hostess does.

4. If you want salt or pepper, you should reach quietly for it, even if it is in front of someone.

5. You should unfold your napkin and put it on your lap.

6. It's nice to compliment the cook.

7. It's okay to talk with your mouth full.

8. When you are leaving, you should thank the host and the hostess.

 

More about table manners.

In Russia they sit down at cocktail parties. In China the most important guest is seated facing the door. In Japan a tip is not expected; in France it is an insult not to leave one. How culturally aware are you at the table? Try the quiz below.

Cross-cultural quiz

1. In Greece / Finland people frequently stop for lunch at 11.30 in the morning.

2. In Switzerland / Brazil it's common to be up to two hours late for a party.

3. In Portugal / the USA a business lunch can last up to three and half hours.

4. In Japan / Russia the soup is often eaten at the end of the meal.

5. In France / Britain cheese is normally served after the dessert.

6. In American / German restaurants you may be asked if you want a bag for the food you can't eat.

7. In Arab / Asian countries you must wait for your host to serve you the main meat dish.

8. In Mexico / Belgium you should keep both hands on the dinner table where they can be seen.

9. At a Turkish / Chinese dinner table it is extremely impolite to say how hungry you are.

10. The Japanese / British sometimes need to be offered more food three times before they will accept.

11. American / Latin executives like to be invited to your home for dinner.

12. In Belgium / Spain an 11 o'clock dinner is quite normal.

13. In Asian / Arab countries food is usually eaten with just three fingers of the right hand.

14. In Poland / Japan you should keep filling other guests' glasses until they turn them over.

15. In African / Asian countries it is the host who decides when the guests should leave.

Answers to quiz: 1. Finland, 2. Brazil, 3. Portugal, 4. Japan, 5. Britain, 6. American, 7. Arab, 8. Mexico, 9. Chinese, 10. Japanese, 11.American, 12. Spain, 13. Arab, 14. Japan, 15. Asian.

 

Eating out                                                Conversation is the enemy of good wine and food.

Alfred Hitchcock, film producer