How Is Your Table Etiquette?

Never start eating until everybody has their food, unless the host tells you to begin. Do not pour wine until everybody at your table is ready. It is suitable for whether gender to pick up the check. The determining factor is who extended the invitation.

The tableware is set up for you to work from left to right. Your setting ordinarily would consist of a napkin, supper fork, salad fork, supper plate, knife and soup for soup, provided all these courses are on the table. The cutting edge of the knife blade turned in toward the plate.

Food And Dessert

Silverware for sweetmeat is set up with sweetmeat placed above the supper plate, parallel to the edge of the table. If using a spoon, the bowl goes to the left; if using a fork, tines go to the right.

A spoon for desert is next to the knife. (Spoons used to stir coffee or tea will come to the table with the beverage). At the top of the place setting, water glasses go to the right, directly above the knives.

Wine glasses go to the right of water glasses, slightly near to the edge of the table. Bread and butter plates go directly above the fork with the butter knife set across the place. Bread is broken off and eaten one piece at a time. Position salad plates to the left of the napkin and fork. The host will begin to eat first.

Some rules to ensue are:

Never dunk food. Chew with the mouth closed. Eat fried chicken with a knife and fork, unless you are at a picnic. If a company occasion, the conversation should focus on business. Always spoon the food away from you. If soup bowl has handles, you may drink. If you are in an interview, only order one drink. Never turn your glass upside down to decline drinks. Never wave silverware when talking. Never write on the tablecloth. Pass food to your right. Pass liquids and gravies with ladle. Pass salt and pepper together. If you spill something, use your napkin; do not dip your napkin in the glass. Do not use toothpicks. Wear a smile at the table. Do not reach; ask. If you spill something on someone, offer a clean napkin. If something drops from the table, allow the wait-staff to get it. Cut fruit before eating. If you must remove something from your mouth with your fingers, place it on the edge of your plate. Blow your nose quietly--- without excuse. Pat the area around your mouth with your napkin instead of wiping across your mouth. Do not smoke. Eat sticky foods, such as cake with a fork. French Fries too! Ask permission when finished. Thank the man who asked you or made the meal. When your glass is half-empty, stop drinking and wait for a refill. If you use sugar, place the empty wrapper under your plate. Leave a small measure of food on your plate. Never move/stack your plate/ hand your plate to the server. Make your decision for your order in a timely manner. Leave your problems at home. Watch voice quality. Be on time. Be kind to bistro personnel.

How Is Your Table Etiquette?