♛Oneechan: Table Manners

Table manners

Table manners are the rules of etiquette used while eating, which may also include the appropriate use of utensils. Different cultures observe different rules for table manners. Each family or group sets its own standards for how strictly these rules are to be enforced.

Table Etiquette

These are couples of simple guidelines to help you to practice table etiquette.

Ø Things you should do:

-If you cannot eat a certain type of food or have some special needs, tell your host why you have no choice but to decline

-If you are a guest, it is polite to wait until your host starts eating or indicates you should do so. It shows consideration. And make sure everyone is seated at the dinner table before eating.

-Place your napkin on your lap. The napkin is used to signal the dinner is started and ended. It also is good protection your clothing

-Always chew and swallow all the food in your mouth before taking more or taking a drink.

-Take small bites and do not chew with mouth open.

-Always say thank you when served something. It shows appreciation.

-Use the stemware versus your fingers. As a sanitary precaution to you and others, make sure you wash your hands before eating. Because there is so many choices now for finger foods, it very hard to forget to use the fork and knife.

-You may eat chicken and pizza with your fingers if you are at a barbecue, finger buffet or very informal setting. Otherwise always use a knife and fork.

-When eating rolls, break off a piece of bread before buttering. Eating it whole looks tacky.

-Leave your elbows off the table or don’t lean against the table. Good posture is important and helps your food digest well. You don’t want to appear sloppy and disrespectful to others at table

-In a restaurant, it is normal to pay for your food by putting your money on the plate the bill comes on.

- When you have finished eating, and to let others know that you have, place your knife and folk together, with the prongs (tines) on the fork facing upwards, on your plate.

ØThings you should do not:

-Never lick or put your knife in your mouth.

-It is impolite to start eating before everyone has been served unless your host says that you don't need to wait.

-Never chew with your mouth open. No one wants to see food being chewed or hearing it being chomped on.

-It is impolite to have your elbows on the table while you are eating.

-Don't reach over someone's plate for something, ask for the item to be passed.

-Never talk with food in your mouth.

-It is impolite to put too much food in your mouth.

-Never use your fingers to push food onto your spoon or fork.

-It is impolite to slurp your food or eat noisily.

-Never blow your nose on a napkin (serviette). Napkins are for dabbing your lips and only for that.

-Never take food from your neighbor's plate.

-Never pick food out of your teeth with your fingernails.

I am not used to eating with a knife and fork. What do I need to know?

-We eat continental style, with fork in the left hand and the knife in the right (or the other way round if you are left handed). At the top of your plate will be a dessert spoon and dessert fork.

-If you are eating at a formal dinner party, you will come across many knives and forks. Start with the utensils on the outside and work your way inward with each subsequent course

How to eat with a knife and fork in England

-The fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right.

-If you have a knife in one hand, it is wrong to have a fork in the other with the prongs (tines) pointed up.

-Hold your knife with the handle in your palm and your folk in the other hand with the prongs pointing downwards.

-When eating in formal situations, rest the fork and knife on the plate between mouthfuls, or for a break for conversation.

-If you put your knife down, you can turn your fork over. It's correct to change hands when you do this, too, so if you are right handed you would switch and eat with the fork in your right hand.

What do you say or do if you've accidentally taken too much food and you cannot possibly eat it all?

Say:

"I'm sorry, but it seems that 'my eyes are bigger than my stomach'.

"I'm sorry. It was so delicious but I am full".

The main thing is not to offend your host.

Table Manners

v Handling Utensils

In most situations, following the “outside-in” rule will tell you which knife, fork, or spoon to use at the dinner table.

· Use utensils on the outside first and work your way inward with each new course that is served.

· If you are not sure which utensil to use, wait to see what is served or watch others at table and follow their lead.

Using two utensils as opposed to one is preferred because food is easier t manipulate with two utensils. In formal dining, two utensils are used for the appetizer course, main course, salad course, dessert course, and fruit course.

v Resting Utensils

Soiled utensils are laid on the plate or bowl it is provided with(not on the table). Never rest a utensil half on the table. The rules are, of course, different when using chopstick. You can rest your utensils when taking a break from eating :

· Put your fork and knife in the center of your plate with the tips facing each others in an inverted V(slightly angle)

· Rest your knife on the top righ of your place(diagonally) with the fork nearby (tines up)

v Napkin Etiquette

· Placing your napkin in your lap. Wait for the host or hostess to take his or her napkin off the table and place in his or her lap(an exception to this rule is buffet-style meals, where you should unfold your napkin when you start eating).

· Unfold your napkin in one smooth motion without ”snapping” or “shaking” it open.

· Don’t tuck a napkin into your collar, between the buttons of your shirt, or in your belt.

· Use your napkin frequently during the meal to blot or pat, not wipe your lips. Blot your lips before taking a drink of your beverage-especially if you’re a woman wearing lipstick

· When leaving the table temporarily, put your napkin on your chair. If the chair is upholstered, place the napkin soiled up.

v Finished with a course

When each course is finished :

· Place the knife and fork parallel with the handles in the four o’clock position on the right rim on the plate

· The tips rest in the well of the plate in the ten o’clock position

· The blade of your knife should face inward

· The fork tines may be either up or down

· This position signals to the server that you’re finished. It also decreases the chance that the utensils could fall to the floor when the plates are cleared.