Dining Diplomacy – a Fine Dining Guide

·         Gauge the quantity of a particular dish before helping yourself to a generous portion of it.

·         Pace your speed of eating to that of your table mates.

·         Don’t stab your food or hold your fork with your fists.

·         Be careful not to gesture or point with cutlery.

·         Napkins are correctly referred to as serviettes. Large napkins can be folded in half for lunch and opened out fully for dinner and should never be tucked into your shirt like a bib or into your trouser like an apron.

·         Food is served from the left of the diner. Plates are removed from the right.

·         If you cough of sneeze cover your mouth with serviette.

·         Never criticize any food item.

·         When you have finished eating, place your cutlery on the plate in a 6 o’clock position. Your utensils should spell “owl”. Place your spoon (o) on the left, your fork (w) to its right and your knife with the cutting edge facing in (l). This indicates you have finished your dinner.

·         Don’t use a tooth pick at table. Excuse yourself to the rest room to ferret out the obstructive piece of food.

·         Don’t reapply lipstick at the table or undertake any other grooming activity.

·         The arrival of bill sends a diner, especially a guest into tizzy. Don’t pick the bill yourself. When ready, your host will pick it up because he has invited you and quite simply, that’s the protocol of the occasion.

·         When parting company always thank a host for hospitality and the wonderful meal.

Social graces and general demeanor at table play an important part in creating a favorable impression. Your social success depends greatly on it. Therefore knowing the nuances of dining etiquette gives you the confidence to relax and enjoy the meal as well as the company you are with.