Dinner etiquette

PROPER ETIQUETTE

An Overview

TABLE ETIQUETTE

Move to your seat at the table promptly when dinner is

announced.

Gently unfold your napkin and place it over your lap as

soon as you are seated.

Wait for a signal or comment from the host before you

begin eating.

When your plate is in front of you, do not put your elbows

on the table.

TABLE ETIQUETTE

Politely request items beyond your nearest neighbor (“Cindy,

would you please pass the butter?”)

If you need to leave the table during the meal, give your

neighbors a quiet, “Would you please excuse me for a minute?”

Used utensils from your plate should never be used to serve

yourself from a common dish. Request another utensil when

needed.

When the meal is finished, fold your napkin loosely, but neatly

and place it beside your plate.

EATING ETIQUETTE

Shared butter knives should only be used to

transfer butter from the butter dish to your plate.

Spread butter on the roll with your own dinner knife.

Cut no more than a few bits of food at a time

(especially meat).

Meat should be cut from the bone. Do not handle

food with your fingers.

EATING ETIQUETTE

Salad may be cut with a knife to make it easier to

eat.

Remove bone, gristle, seeds, and other inedible

items from your mouth by allowing them to slip

discretely from your mouth to your raise fork or

spoon and depositing them on the edge of your

dinner plate.

REMEMBER THE BASICS

Don’t talk with your mouth full.

Take small bites.

Chew with your mouth closed.

If unsure of the proper etiquette in a situation, do

that which seems most sensible and considerate of

others. Or follow the lead of the host or hostess of

the meal.