Table Manners

Here are more pointers that must be considered in table manners:

Using The Napkin

As a general rule, wait for the host to put a napkin in his or her lap and then follow suit. The rules for unfolding the napkin have also become more casual; just open it to a comfortable size and put it in place. Its function is to protect clothing from stains and to remove excess food from around the mouth and the fingertips.

If you excuse yourself from the table, place your napkin on your chair as a signal to your server that you will be returning. Do not hang it over the back of your chair.

The host will signal the end of the meal by placing his or her napkin on the table. Once the meal is over, you too should place your napkin on the table.  Contrary to popular belief, napkins are not refolded after use. However, one should not leave the napkin haphazardly on the table. It should be picked from the middle section, folded lengthwise and tucked under the plate on the left side.It has been common practice particularly in Chinese restaurants to wipe utensils and dinner plates. We ask you to please refrain from doing this especially in a private home as it would insult the host and hostess. It is a breach of good manners, an indication that you think their utensils and plates are dirty.

It used to be considered the height of rudeness to put elbows on the table. Nowadays everyone does it, but only between courses – it is bad manners to have an elbow on the table while eating. And remember always that the food is brought to the mouth, not vice versa.

Using Catsup and Other Sauces

Some people, perhaps because they have for a long time lack the elegant sauces of French cuisine, drench foods in catsup, steak sauce and anything else that appears on the table in a glass jar. They have even taken to putting catsup on foods such as scrambled eggs. Most etiquette books point out that this is an insult to the chef. Most people do not seem to care. If, however, you are dining or lunching with someone you want to impress, it is safer not to drench a good piece of beef or your scrambled eggs with anything that was not prepared by the chef.

If you simply cannot eat a food without catsup or another bottled sauce, at least learn to use it correctly. Catsup, soy sauce, mustard or any other condiment is put directly on an open-faced or closed sandwich. If you want to eat catsup with your French fries, do not drench them in it. Rather, pour a small amount of catsup on the side of the plate and dip the French fries in it as you eat them.