Place your napkin immediately on your lap when you sit, unfold it while it is in your lap. Never leave the napkin, unfolded on the table, to the left of the place setting.
Rip small pieces of bread...to butter, so you do not have a mouthful of food when speaking to others at your table.
Pass the salt and pepper as a pair. Don’t reach over people, ask for something to be passed to you.
Don’t leave your spoon in your cup or bowl. Rest the spoon on the saucer or soup plate between bites or when finished.
When you are not eating keep your hands on your lap or with wrists resting on the edge of the table.
Eat quietly and at a relaxed pace. Pace yourself to match your fellow diners.
If you drop a utensil, pick it up yourself.
When shaking hands with someone, give them a firm shake the same way you would grab the handle of the refrigerator
The bread plate is the trash plate for items that you are done using. IE butter packets, sugar, etc.
When excusing yourself say “excuse me, please; I’ll be right back” leaving without saying anything is rude. As you leave the table do so with little interruption as possible.
Make sure to silence your phone, and don’t check it until you are away from the table….AND, never place your cell phone on the dinner table.
Don’t pick your teeth at the table.
Wait until you are done chewing to sip from your drink.
Don’t slurp your soup or put crackers in soup.
Sit up straight, sit square with hands in the lap and do not fidget. Do not put elbows on the table.
If someone spills something don’t make a big scene, quietly assist the person.
Do not begin eating until everyone has been served, unless the host or hostess gives their permission for diners to start. Make sure others have been offered anything they might want from the table, such as butter, water, salt or pepper. Help yourself last and never stretch across people.
When placing a napkin on your lap the open side (four corners) are towards you and the folded side is pointed down towards your knees. This way the bottom of the napkin is not dirty. Don’t use a napkin to blow your nose.
When you have finished, place your knife and fork - with the tines facing upwards - together on your plate.
An easy way to remember how to set up the silverware, is spoon and knife are spelled with five letter words like the word “right” so you always put your spoons and knives on that side, and fork is spelled with four letter words like the word “left” you always put your forks on that side. When placing the knives on the right of your plate, the blades always face towards the plate.
When talking about one subject try not to talk about anything different or make any comments about any other subject that is not related. Stay on one subject before changing it to another one. Take part in the conversation and not sit quietly, this may come off as being rude.
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