|
|
CULTURAL DINING GUIDE
When you travel to another part of the world, you might
discover that in some cultures, the dining etiquette is
very much different from yours. Here are some tips to
make your dining around the globe a pleasurable experience.
[ Read
More ] |
|
Dining Etiquette Tips
How well do you know the proper table manners? Follow
these dining etiquette tips that will help you dine at
ease:
- Look at the table setting in front of you. Think
of these as road maps that guide you through the courses
of a meal.
- Never do anything until the host/hostess does it
first. This includes sit, eat, put your napkin on
the table, and leave. After all, the host is paying
for the occasion, so at least make him/her feel like
he's/she's in charge.
- Forks (with the exception of the seafood fork) are
placed to the left of the plate. Depending on the
meal, the knives and spoons are on the right of the
dinner plate. Solids such as a bread plates, go on
your left.
- Wine glasses or crystal stem-ware are placed to
the right of the plate.
- Knives and spoons are placed at the right side
of the plate.
- Place the napkin on you lap and let it stay there
until the completio of the meal.
- During the courses of a meal, start from the outside
silverware and just work yourself in. Pick up the
silverware pieces from the outside and then toward
your plate. The fork furthest to the outside is the
one you should use for the appetizer. When the next
part of the meal comes, use the next outermost fork,
and so on. The same idea goes for the spoons and knives.
Once used, you should never let any utensils, ever
touch the table again. This includes leaning a fork
onto the plate, or using a knife and putting it back
in its original place to avoid dirtying the tablecloth.
- Don't let your elbows touch the table although you
can put your hands on the table if you want to. If
you drop one of your utensils, politely signal a waiter
so that he/she could replace it. Don't pick up the
dirty utensil and put it on the table. If you drop
your table napkin, just pick it up and continue on
with the meal.
- When hosting a dinner, don't forget your guest's
special dietary needs. Also keep in mind religious
observances, food allergies, etc.
- Don't forget to compliment the host/hostess on
the preparation or presentation of the meal.
Note: If you happen to be the host, remember that
all items (e.g. salad, meal, wine, water) should be brought
to each diner's right, and cleared from each diner's left. |
|
