How to behave properly in public - 01 ***DINNER ETIQUETTE***

Hello dear friends,

A lot of people are confused about the way they behave or what they do at formal events are proper or not. As I very well know, there are many who would like to know what-to-do and what-not-to-do at such an event. For example,

• How to respond at interview
• How to behave at dinner table
• What gestures to be followed when meeting important people
• Proper greeting
• How to say proper goodbye......................

So as to start a series of posts on the subject, let us know about "The Dinner Table Etiquette" today.

When you attend a formal dinner party, it usually contains three main courses.

1. A starter - Soup,a small portion of appetizer or a light salad. 
2. A main course - this is a large portion of meet, fish or poultry or a vegetarian option, usually served with vegetables
3. A dessert - this may be some cheese, ice cream or some fruit but it is usually a sweet dish.

OK, let's see how the table should be arranged for such an event at the first place.

As you can see, begin with FARTHEST from the plate. First, soup shall be served in a soup bowl with under plate. The soup spoon should be placed on the under plate when you finished with it.

Usually a table is set for a right handed person. So the knife will be held in right hand. But if you a re left handed, you can always change sides or ask the serving person to change it for you. That is completely ok rather than making huge noises like having a battle on your dinner plate. :D

Second course is the main meal. You should always make sure you do not disturb others on the table. So it's better to keep your elbows as close as to your body. (But make sure you are comfortable enough to eat) And DO NOT keep elbows on table during meal. (This is informal gesture. Should be avoided at any occasion like interview, meeting, etc.)

Hold the fork and knife from the edge. Don't make it like you are going to war with knife. Index finger is pressing the knife.

Now let's see how fork and knife are kept during and after finishing the meal. Two main practices are followed; Continental style and American style.

01. Continental Style

02. American Style

Note the different fork facing side in both ways. It is generally accepted that you follow a single style thus not mixing up both.

Last course is the dessert. The utensils for the dessert are kept on above the plate. In dessert, the fork is handled by left and the spoon by right. 

Few things to remember................

1.       Once seated, unfold your napkin and use it for occasionally wiping your lips or fingers. At the end of dinner, leave the napkin tidily on the place setting.

2.       It is good dinner table etiquette to serve the lady sitting to the right of the host first, then the other ladies in a clockwise direction, and lastly the gentlemen.

3.       Hold the knife and fork with the handles in the palm of the hand, forefinger on top, and thumb underneath.

4.       Whilst eating, you may if you wish rest the knife and fork on either side of the plate between mouthfuls. When you have finished eating, place them side by side in the centre of the plate.

5.       If the food presented to you is not to your liking, it is polite to at least make some attempt to eat a small amount of it. Or at the very least, cut it up a little, and move it around the plate!

6.       It is quite acceptable to leave some food to one side of your plate if you feel as though you have eaten enough. On the other hand, don't attempt to leave your plate so clean that it looks as though you haven't eaten in days!

7.       Desserts may be eaten with both a spoon and fork, or alternatively a fork alone if it is a cake or pastry style sweet.

8.       Should a lady wish to be excused for the bathroom, it is polite for the gentlemen to stand up as she leaves the table, sit down again, and then stand once more when she returns.

9.       Always make a point of thanking the host and hostess for their hospitality before leaving.

10.  It is good dinner table etiquette to send a personal thank you note to the host and hostess shortly afterwards.

Here I will end up the post today. I hope you read few interesting and important things. Please note that I also checked these things in internet and summarized here so my it would be some support to you. 

Have a nice day...............................