DINING ETIQUETTE

AT T E N T I O N S H O U L D B E F O C U S E D O N P E O P L E ,
NOT ON FOOD.

How to make restaurant reservations?

Restaurant reservations are like any other

appointment.
If you make a reservation, stick to it.
Call ahead if youre going to be more than 15
minutes late.
Cancel as far in advance as possible.

Getting seated.
Never take your seat before being invited to do so by

your host.
The gentleman should always help the lady be
seated.
Do not ever run around trying to help the ladies not
sitting directly next to you .
Always take your seat from the left side of the chair.

The Equipment

Etiquette

9/21/16

Napkin Use
6

Put your napkin on your lap soon after sitting down

at the table

Small napkins, unfold

Large napkins, fold in half

If you leave the table during the

meal, place your napkin on your

chair as a signal to your server
that you will be returning

Etiquette

9/21/16

Napkin Use
7

Meant only to be dabbed at the lips and should not

get dirty in the process

If napkin falls on the floor during a very formal
event, signal a member of the serving staff that you
need a fresh one
Once the meal is over, place your napkin neatly on
the table to the right of your dinner plate

Etiquette

9/21/16

Silverware
8

Eat from the outside in

Use one utensil for each course
Dessert spoon and fork are above your plate or

brought out with dessert

Unused silverware is simply left
on the table

Etiquette

9/21/16

How to use the utensils?

Hold knife in the right

hand and fork in the

left hand.
Eat food with fork still
in left hand.
Difference between
American and
Continental styles.

Hold the knife and

Cont.

fork in your hand with

the tines pointed
down throughout the
entire eating process.
If you want to take a
drink put down both
the utensils on the
plate.
Always rest forks,
knives, and spoons on
the side of your plate
or in the bowl.

The Knife and Fork

12

Holding knife and fork

Use of knife and fork

Etiquette

9/21/16

The Courses

Appetizers/Buffet
14

Dont crowd the buffet

Dont graze, take what you want and walk away
Appetizers may be eaten with your fingers, unless

very elaborate
When in doubt, follow your host

Etiquette

9/21/16

Bread Plate
15

Bread and butter plate sits left of the dinner plate

When butter is passed, take enough for yourself and

place it on the edge of your B&B plate

Eat rolls or bread by tearing off small bite size pieces
and buttering only the piece you are preparing to eat

Etiquette

9/21/16

Soup and/or salad

16

Spoon the soup away from you when you take it out

of the bowl and sip it from the side of the spoon

Do not slurp soup from a spoon
If your soup is too hot to eat, let it sit until it cools;
do not blow on it
Place used spoon on the
saucer, not in the soup bowl

Etiquette

9/21/16

Main Course
17

If food spills off your plate, you may pick it up with a

piece of your silverware and place it on the edge of

your plate.
Taste food before seasoning it

Pass salt and pepper shakers together

Try a bit of everything on your plate

Etiquette

9/21/16

Dessert and Coffee

18

Dessert utensils will most likely be provided with the

dessert
If you do not like coffee, simply place your hand over
the cup when offered, or tell the waiter no, thank
you or ask for hot tea
NEVER turn the coffee cup upside
down on the saucer

Etiquette

9/21/16

Finishing Touches
19

Leave your plate where it is in the place setting

Lay your fork and knife diagonally across your plate

Place your knife and fork side by side,

with the sharp side of the knife blade
facing inward and the fork
left of the knife

Etiquette

to the

9/21/16

Tips and Pitfalls!

20

It is inappropriate to ask for a doggy bag when you

are a guest.

Save the doggy bag for informal dining situations.

It is best to order foods that can be eaten with a knife

and fork.

Finger foods can be messy and are

best left for informal dining.

Etiquette

9/21/16

Tips and Pitfalls!

21

Do not order alcoholic beverages in professional

situations.

Drinking too much when dining out is one of the most

disliked behaviors.

Sit up straight at the table.

It makes a good impression.
When you are not eating, keep your hands on your

lap or resting on the table (with wrists on the edge

of the table).

Elbows on the table are acceptable only between courses,

not while you are eating.

Etiquette

9/21/16

Tips and Pitfalls!

22

Pass items to your right

Season your food AFTER you have tasted it
Never chew with your mouth open or make loud

noises when you eat

If food gets caught between your teeth and you
can't remove it with your tongue, leave the table
and go to a mirror where you can remove the food
from your teeth in private
Engage in table conversation that is pleasant but
entirely free of controversial subjects.
Etiquette

9/21/16

The Matter of RSVP (RSVP Means please respond)

23

When invited to an event, ALWAYS RSVP by the deadline

provided.
If you are able to attend, state if you will be alone, or
bringing a guest
If you are unable to attend,
state a brief reason why
It is not necessary to remain
longer than
thirty minutes
after dinner if the
invitation does not include
the entire evening.

Etiquette

9/21/16

Thankyou
24

Happy Dinning

Etiquette

9/21/16