Dining Etiquette (Good to know for scholarship dinners, winter formal, prom, dating, meeting future in-laws for the first time, dinners with an employer,

Dining EtiquetteDining Etiquette(Good to know for scholarship dinners, winter formal, (Good to know for scholarship dinners, winter formal, prom, dating, meeting future in-laws for the first time, prom, dating, meeting future in-laws for the first time,

dinners with an employer, etc.)dinners with an employer, etc.)

RSVPRSVP

• Responez s’il vous plait• Respond whether or not you are going

to attend.

Dressing for the OccasionDressing for the Occasion

Formal Dress:Formal Dress:GENTLEMEN: Tuxedo

LADIES: Long or mid-length evening dress with matching or coordinating shoes, purse, and jewelry

Dressing for the OccasionDressing for the Occasion

Semi-Formal Dress:Semi-Formal Dress:GENTLEMEN: Dark business suit & white shirt

LADIES: Knee length or mid-length evening dress, cocktail dress, or evening suit

Dressing for the OccasionDressing for the Occasion

Informal Dress:Informal Dress:GENTLEMEN: Polo-style shirt, golf shirts, dress slacks, dress blue jeans

LADIES: Slacks, jumpsuit, sport coordinates, dress blue jeans

Dressing for the OccasionDressing for the Occasion

Optional:Optional:GENTLEMEN: Usually a combination of semi-formal or formal

LADIES: Usually a combination of semi-formal or formal

Arrive EarlyArrive Early

• Arrive a few minutes early• Never arrive more than a few minutes

late

Bring a Hostess GiftBring a Hostess Gift

• Small gift• Avoid flowers, candy, wine, or

desserts because the hostess will feel obligated to put it out immediately

Formal Dinner Table SettingFormal Dinner Table Setting

Informal Dinner Table SettingInformal Dinner Table Setting

ELDeR: EEat to the LLeft, DDrink to your RRight. Any food dish to the left is yours, and any glass to the right is yours.

Sitting Down to EatSitting Down to Eat

• Wait for the host or hostess to sit before taking your seat.

• At formal dinners, let the host or hostess seat you.

Gentlemen Seating LadiesGentlemen Seating Ladies

• Gentleman pulls out chair or puts his hand on the back of the chair if it is already pulled out.

• Ladies scoot the chair in while the gentleman’s hand rests lightly on the back of the chair.

• Ladies quietly thank the gentleman

How to Use NapkinsHow to Use Napkins

• Unfold napkin and place it on your lap• Napkin remains on lap until the end of

the meal• When finished, lay the semi-folded

napkin to the left of the plate• Do not:

• Wipe your nose with the napkin• Clean your silverware with the napkin• Place the napkin on your plate or chair

When to Begin EatingWhen to Begin Eating

At a RestaurantAt a Restaurant● When everyone has been served

At a Dinner PartyAt a Dinner Party● When the host or

hostess picks up their fork to eat

● When the host or hostess insists that you start eating

Using SilverwareUsing Silverware

• Use silverware from the outside in• When finished with your meal, place silverware

in a clock position of 10 to 4, with the handles at 4.

• Never put used silverware back on table

Using SilverwareUsing Silverware

• Use silverware to remove unwanted pieces of food from your mouth (fish bones, fatty meat, etc.)

• Cut only a few bites of food at a time. (Knife in right hand, fork in left)

• Don’t push food onto your fork with bread or fingers.

Serving FoodServing Food

• Food is served from the left.• Dishes are removed from the right.

Passing FoodPassing Food

• Pass food to the right• Do not pass across the table• Pass salt and pepper together• Do not intercept food while it is being

passed to others.• Use the serving utensils to serve

yourself, not your personal silverware.

Eating FoodEating Food

• Do not talk with food in your mouth• Cut no more than two bites of food at

a time.• Do eat a little of everything on your

plate.• Pace your eating so that you finish

with others at the table.

Table MannersTable Manners

• Keep elbows off the table. Keep left hand in lap unless it is being used.

• No slurping or burping• Do not blow your nose at the table• If you must cough, cover your mouth

with your napkin.• Turn off cell phones. If you must take a

call, excuse yourself from the table• Do not use a toothpick at the table• Do not put on makeup at the table

Dividing or Sharing a BillDividing or Sharing a Bill

• Assume the bill will be divided equally• If you know you are going to ask for a

separate check, tell the server before you order

• If you order more food than others at your table, be prepared to contribute more money toward the bill.

Tipping Tipping

• T.I.P.ST.I.P.S. means TTo IInsure PPrompt SService.

• At a restaurant, tip 15% - 20% of the bill before tax is added (or double the tax)

• Tip 25% for extraordinary service • If you use coupons, tip as if you didn’t

Thank You NoteThank You Note

• Send a thank you note to the host or hostess after a dinner party