Table MannersTable MannersThe Do’s and Don’ts

MannersManners

BeginningBeginning

Wait to begin eatingFollow the Hostess directionsLarge events, wait until 1 – 2 guests are served to begin eating

NapkinsNapkins

Remove, Unfold, Place in LapVery Formal – waiter can place in your

lap, but ok to do yourselfNapkins fall on floor, ask for clean oneEnd of meal, place loosely next to

plate (Never Refold)

Elbows, elbows, if you’re able, Elbows, elbows, if you’re able, Keep your elbows off the tableKeep your elbows off the table

Sit up straight, arms near bodyNo leaning on back of chairDo not lean forward, except slightly every now & thenCan put hands on tableBring utensils up to you

Drop Your ForkDrop Your Fork

Ask waiter to replace itDo not pick up dirty fork & place on table

Passing & ReachingPassing & Reaching

Only reach if you are closest to itemPlace it directly next to your neighborNever pass it hand to handNever use item before you pass it to to your neighbor

Pass the SaltPass the Salt

If asked to pass the salt, always pass

Do not use the salt until requester does NEVER use salt or pepper until requester

has had it NEVER use salt/pepper on food before

tasting the food NEVER add your own creations to shared

dish (salt, pepper, catsup, parmesan cheese)

Offering FoodOffering Food

NEVER offer a second helpingPhrase offer as if dish offered for the

first time If dish is offered to you, serve

yourself, then pass it on

Removing inedible items from Removing inedible items from mouthmouth

Remove food from mouth the way it went in

A chicken bone returned by fork to plate

Fish is exception, remove tiny bones with fingers

Fatty piece meat, spit into napkin, keep out of sight

Embarrassing MomentsEmbarrassing Moments

Spill – quietly apologize, use napkin, get waiter

Spill on someone’s clothes, DO NOT try to get it off clothes – offer to pay dry cleaning bill

NEVER smear napkin all over face, just blot

DRINK stand for Drink RightDRINK stand for Drink Right

Salad, meal, water all brought to diner’s RIGHT, & cleared from LEFT

All glasses on RIGHTDrink – Drink Right

Pass the BreadbasketPass the Breadbasket

Take one slice bread onlyOkay to tear breadTear bite-size bread piecesButter bite-size pieces from butter

plate

Utensils Utensils

Use utensils from outside in Follow the host/hostess Once utensil is used, NEVER touches the

table/tablecloth Soup spoon filled to 75%, bring to mouth,

sip it from side, little slurping Acceptable to tip bowl away from you to

get last bits, don’t do more than twice

““I’m still eating.”I’m still eating.”

““I’m about to pass my plate for I’m about to pass my plate for seconds.”seconds.”

““I’m done.”I’m done.”

““I’m a slob.”I’m a slob.”

Chewing FoodChewing Food

Don’t speak with mouth full of foodChew quietly, try not to slurpKeep bites smallDon’t cut all your meat at onceWipe your mouth before drinkingChew with your lips closedEat at leisurely pace

Basic Rules Basic Rules

Do not play with table utensils, crumble bread

Do not cough, sneeze at tableNever indicate anything unpleasant in

the foodAsk host/hostess to be excused

Foods Eaten with FingersFoods Eaten with Fingers

Bacon – cooked very crisp no grease Bread – broken, not cut; never tear more than two

bites Cookies – unless has chocolate sauce with no

corner to pick up Corn on Cob – butter 1-2 rows @ a time & eat

across cob cleanly Chips, French Fries, Fried Chicken, Hamburgers,

unless messy Hor d’Oeuvres, Sandwiches, small fruits/berries on

stem

ConversationConversation

Do not talk loud or boisterouslyDo not talk with your mouth fullBe cheerful in table discussions

Coffee or TeaCoffee or Tea

If you wish to be served more tea or coffee, place spoon on the saucer

If you do not want coffee, place your coffee cup upside down on saucer

NEVER place your spoon on the table after using it for tea or coffee

QuestionsQuestions

1. In taking your place at the table, sit down from (the right side of the chair) (the left side of the chair) (either the right or the left side of the chair).

#2#2

2. Sit comfortably at the table, with your feet (on the chair) (around the chair) (on the floor).

#3#3

3. Begin to eat (as soon as you are seated) (when everyone has been served) (when you are served).

#4#4

4. (Lots of food) (Expensive food) (A cheerful conversation) add to the enjoyment of a meal.

#5#5

5. Food should be taken from the (the side of the spoon) (the tip of the spoon) (either the side or the tip of the spoon).

#6#6

While you are eating, keep (the elbows on the table) (one elbow on the table) (the elbows off the table).

#7#7

7. It is proper to (talk with your mouth full of food) (chew with your lips open) (chew with your lips closed).

#8#8

8. Keep knife and fork after they have been used (on the plate) (on the table) (either on the plate or the table).

#9#9

9. Spoons are used for (sipping beverages) (tasting beverages) (eating mashed potatoes).

#10#10

10. When drinking water, hold the glass (with both hands) ( near the base) (around the rim).

#11#11

11. When you pass your plate for a second helping, the silverware should (be taken from your plate) (left on your plate) (held in your hand).

#12#12

12. When bread is served at the meal (butter a whole piece at a time) (cut piece in half and butter it) (break off a small piece and butter it).

#13#13

13. Toothpicks should (be on the table) (be passed) (be used in private).

#14#14

14. Used silverware is (sometimes placed on the tablecloth) (never placed on the tablecloth) (placed with handles on the tablecloth).

#15#15

15. When food you dislike is served to you do you take it? (eat what you can) (tell the hostess you do not like it).

#16#16

16. It (is proper) (is not proper) (is sometimes proper) to cut all the meat on the plate before starting to eat.

#17#17

17. Relishes taken from a relish dish (should be placed) (should never be placed) (are sometimes placed) on the tablecloth.

#18#18

18. In using a soup spoon, dip the spoon (toward the front of the bowl) (towards the back of the bowl) (either the front or the back of the bowl).

#19#19

19. When you have finished eating, place the knife and fork (on the table) (on the plate) (neither on the plate or the table).

#20#20

20. (Push your plate back) (Push your plate to one side) (Leave your plate in place) when you have finished eating.

#21#21

21. At the close of the meal, place your napkin (on the table) ( on your chair) (on your plate)..

#22#22

22. Five finger foods:

#23#23

23. Five foods you use your spoon for eating:

#24#24

24. Five foods you use your fork for eating:

#25#25

25. Five ways to use your knife: