Dining Etiquette

Proper dining table etiquette

Let's say you want to host a dinner party. Whether you're trying to impress your in-laws or host a formal dinner, understanding correct dining etiquette will ensure you're at your very best.

Silverware placement
When creating your place setting with silverware on your dining table, remember that dining etiquette dictates that diners should start on the outside and work their way in.

Achieving proper etiquette means following the rules. That means, dinner forks go on the left side of the plate with the salad fork on the outside. Knives and spoons go on the right side, with the knife on the inside and spoon on the outside. Glasses are placed above the plate and slightly to the right.

Silverware usage and etiquette
First rule of thumb: never let your used silverware touch the dining table. When you're done with the silverware or when it's not in use, simply place it on the upper edge of a plate or bowl.

There are two styles of using silverware while dining. North American style of dining etiquette dictates using your right hand to cut food with your knife while keeping it in place with the fork in your left hand, then setting the knife on your plate to switch the fork into your right hand to eat the sliced food.

European style is less formal in dining etiquette. It keeps the fork in your left hand at all times, stabilizing the food, piercing it and placing it in your mouth with the same hand.

When using a soupspoon, you should tilt the spoon away from you and fill it only about two-thirds full with soup, say the etiquette gurus. You may tilt the bowl away from you to reach the last bit of soup, if you desire. But do not slurp the soup from your spoon.

Napkin etiquette at the dining table
The right time to place your napkin on your lap is when the host sits and places their napkin on theirs. That's when it's proper dining etiquette for the rest of the party to follow suit.

If you need to leave the dining table for any reason, simply place your napkin on the chair until you return. When you're finished eating, etiquette says you should loosely fold the napkin and place it on the left side of your plate.

Simple dining etiquette
The proper dining etiquette is to not begin eating until everyone has received his or her own serving. This is sometimes forgone in large group settings and the host urges someone to start eating.

When someone asks you to pass the salt or pepper, you should pass both together. Never pass condiments hand-to-hand, says the maven of dining etiquette. Instead, place them on the dining table at the plate of the person next to you, who will do the same until it reaches the person who made the request.

When in this situation, do not use the seasoning or condiment before passing it when it has been requested. That would not be good dining etiquette. The person who initially made the request should be the first person to use it.

If you find yourself in the awkward situation of being at the dining table and needing to remove something from your mouth, do so discretely. Etiquette says to remove the item the same way you placed it in your mouth … by fork, hand, etc.

When finished eating, you shouldn't push your plate away. Instead, place your fork-with tines down-and knife diagonally across the plate, parallel to each other and pointing to the ten o'clock position. This shows you know your dining etiquette.

Suitable conversation etiquette
Because of the wide variety of topics available, it is easier to remember what not to talk about at the dining table as opposed to what you should talk about. Dining etiquette gives these general topics to avoid:

Health issues: these can easily make people lose their appetites.

Your dislike of the food. This is an insult to the meal that the host has chosen to serve.

Table manners and etiquette. Don't inform someone of his or her incorrect table manners. Simply watch others or do your research to learn what acceptable table etiquette is.

Political opinions and/or religion. With the possibility of a variety of opinions present, these topics can turn a pleasant dining experience into an unsettling debate.

It may take some time and experience to fully grasp the proper dining table etiquette. For more specifics about dining etiquette, be sure to refer to other guides … and enjoy using your new dining table.
 

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