AMERICAN AND CONTINENTAL STYLE

OF DINING By: Lekha

Sujan kharelGokarna

Dining Etiquette 

A set of rules that govern the expectations of social and dining behavior in a workplace, group or society. 

Table manners are visible signs that you are a polished and knowledgeable professional.

WHAT IS DINING ETIQUETTE?

There are four steps used in American dining rather than the two steps in Continental dining.

The United States was founded on the premise of living life in a unique, independent manner.  And the way we eat is no exception.

The American Style of Eating

The Four Steps of American Dining

Step 1: With fork in your left hand and knife in your right hand, cut your food.

Step 2:Keeping your fork in place, lay the knife

at the top of the plate.( Make sure the blade is facing you. It is an affront to other diners to point Your blade at them.)

Step 3Now that your right hand is free,Use it to take hold of the fork.

Step 4Bring the fork to your mouth and take a bite.

If you need to pause during the meal - maybe you have a story to tell everyone at the table, or you need to leave the table for a moment - you will need to place your utensils in resting position on the plate to indicate your pause.

With your knife at the top of your plate, place your fork in the four o'clock position on the plate.

This tells the wait staff that you are not finished with your meal, and they should not remove your plate.

Taking a Break

When you are ready for your plate to be removed from the table, there is a utensil placement that signals this as well.

With your fork in the four o'clock position, move your knife down to meet it.

This is the close-out position for American dining.

When Finished With Your Meal

The Continental Dining Style

Continental dining consists of two steps instead of the four steps in American dining.    

Used in most countries around the world, this dining style is simple to learn and is easily adapted for left- or right-handed people.

The Continental Dining Style

Step 1

With fork in your left hand and knife in your right hand, cut your food.

Step 2Keeping your fork in your

left hand, bring it to your Mouth and take a bite.

The Two Steps of Continental Dining

If you need to pause during the meal - maybe you have a story to tell everyone at the table, or you need to leave the table for a moment - you will need to place your utensils in resting position on the plate to indicate your pause.Lay your fork and knife at a diagonal position on either side of your plate.This tells the wait staff that you are not finished with your meal, and they should not remove your plate.

Taking a Break

When you are ready for your plate to be removed from the table, there is a utensil placement that signals this as well.

Lay your fork and knife side by side at the four o'clock position on your plate.This is the close-out position for Continental dining (and American dining as well). Wait staff often report that placing the fork, tines up, makes it easier to pick up the plate. Either way signals that you have finished.

If you are left-handed, it is appropriate to close-out with utensils in the eight o'clock position if this is easier for you. 

When Finished With Your Meal

Continental Fashion

Rest Position Finish Position

VERSUS

AMERICAN STYLE

CONtINENTAL STYLE

1.Holding Your Silverwareamerican continental

You switch your fork and knife between hands so the utensil being used is

in the dominant hand. For example, if you are right handed, you switch the fork to your left hand so you can cut with your

right hand. Once you cut a piece of food, you

switch the fork back to your right hand and take the food to your mouth

with the fork in your right hand.

You keep the fork in your left hand with the

tines facing down and your index

finger on the back of the fork. Your knife is held in your right hand with the blade facing down and

your index finger extended along the back

of it. Once you cut a piece of food, you keep the fork face down and your wrist flat as you bring the food to your

mouth

2. Hand Placement american continental

Your wrists/hands do not touch the table.

Wrists always remain on the edge of and

above the table, both when you are eating and

when you are resting

3. Silverware Placement american continental

The resting position is the fork, tines facing up, in the 4 o’clock

position and the knife resting along the top corner of your

plate. Once finished, place your knife, with

the blade facing towards you, next to

your fork, tines facing up, both in the 4 o’clock

position on the plate. This signals to the server

you are finished.

: The resting position is in the middle of the

plate as if you simply placed the silverware down exactly as you

were holding them. The knife blade faces

towards you in the 4 o’clock position and the

fork tines face down over top of the knife in the 8 o’clock position.

4. Eating Dessert american continental

: Typically dessert is served with either a fork or a spoon. If you are given both, you may choose

which utensil you prefer

A fork and spoon (rarely a knife) are used. Hold the fork in your left hand and

the spoon in your right hand and proceed to eat in the same manner as

your main course

◦ In both styles, you cut one bite of food at a time. Put that piece in your mouth then cut the next.

◦ The side of your fork should not be used to cut something.

◦ Always use your knife (not your fingers!) to get a piece of food onto your fork.

◦ Do not place your elbows or forearms on the table.

◦ Same rules for your napkin! Place your napkin neatly on your chair if you will be returning to the table. Place the napkin neatly on the table if you are finished and exiting the table.

Conclusion

THANK YOU!!