Nowhere is bad
conduct and poor table manners more evident than at a formal dinner. Good
manners are not something you can simply switch on when the occasion warrants.
Instead, the need to be practiced daily with these few tips you are guaranteed
to be the guest everyone wants to emulate.
1.
LOOK THE PART:
Dressing well and formal is a huge turn on
for everybody around you. Ask your host if there is a dress code. If there is
none, a suit will do if you are a male and a dress, skirt or trouser, suit will
not be out of place for a lady.
2.
ARRIVING AT THE TABLE:
If you are a guest, look for your place
card. If there is not one wait for the host to indicate where you should sit. When
you get to your place, remain standing and offer to hold the chairs for the
women to either side of you. Once the hostess has taken her seat, you may sit.
Immediately, place your napkin on your lap. Do not tuck it into your shirt or
belt or shake it out to unfold it. Just lay it on your lap.
3.
INTRODUCE YOURSELF:
If you do not know the people seated on
either side of you, introduce yourself. Depending on how big the table is, you
should also nod and say hello to any other person in your vicinity.
4.
SHOW CONFIDENCES:
Intimidated by all those glasses and
silverwares?.Not to worry, they have been placed there with great care to make
it easy for you to know when to make use of each an item. You will find the
knives and spoons on the right side of your plate and forks on the left. The correct
order of use is from the outside in. This way, the outlying utensils are
gradually stripped away as the meal progresses, leaving the utensils for the
next course on the outside of the place setting.
5.
PLACE YOUR TIE APPROPRIATELY:
Do not toss your tie over your shoulder to
keep dribbling on it.
6.
DO NOT BLOW YOUR NOSE IN PUBLIC:
A
quick wipe in an emergency is okay, but nose blowing should happen in the rest
room.
7.
SCOUP SOUP CAREFULLY:
Yes, you may tip your soup bowl to scoop up
that last bit of soup. At a formal dinner, tip the bowl away from you and fill
your spoon with a motion that moves your spoon away from your body not to be
pretentious but avoid splattering your clothes. Never put a dirty utensil
directly onto the table.
8.
DO NOT START EATING IMMEDIATELY:
When
you are with a group of friends in a relaxed situation, it’s acceptable to
begin eating once at least three people have been served. In a more formal
situation or at a business meal, however, you should wait until everyone has
been served or until the host or hostess says something like “Please start
right away. Don’t let your food get cold waiting for everyone to be served”.
9.
TAKING A BREAK:
If you want to take a break from eating,
simply place your knife and fork on the plate with the top of the knife and the
times of the fork positioned at the top of your plate. Gently fold your napkins
so that any soiled parts are covered then lay it on the table to the left of
your place settings. Do the same thing when you leave the table at the
conclusion of the meal.
10.
CUTTING YOUR MEAT:
When you are cutting your meat, slice off
one bite-size piece, eat it, and then cut the next piece. Unless you are preparing
a plate for a young child, don’t cut a whole steak into bite-sized pieces and
then start eating.
11.
AT DINNERS END:
As a
guest, don’t take it upon yourself to call a close to the evening. As you have
done throughout the evening, take your cues as to the proper time to wave from
other guests and the host. Also, make sure to say goodnight to the people who
were sitting on either sides of you and to other diners who were near you at
the table.
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