Dining Etiquette Rules

Etiquette

• Keep your elbows off the table and your hands visible.
• Keep your napkin on your lap, not on the table.
• Wait for the host to indicate where to sit before taking a seat.
• Don't start eating until everyone has been served and the host has indicated to begin.
• Chew with your mouth closed and don't talk with your mouth full.
• Don't burp or make loud noises while eating.
• Don't double dip or eat from a utensil that has touched your mouth.

Dining Posture

• Sit up straight with your shoulders relaxed and your back against the chair.
• Keep your feet flat on the floor or on a footrest, if needed.
• Avoid crossing your legs or ankles, as it can be seen as informal.
• Keep your hands in your lap or on the edge of the table, not on your lap.

Conversation Skills

• Engage in polite conversation, avoiding controversial topics.
• Listen actively and respond thoughtfully.
• Avoid dominating the conversation or interrupting others.
• Use formal language, avoiding slang or colloquialisms.
• Show interest in others and ask open-ended questions.

Utensil Usage

• Hold your utensils correctly:
  • Fork: tines facing down, held in the dominant hand.
  • Knife: blade facing inward, held in the non-dominant hand.
  • Spoon: held in the dominant hand.
• Use your utensils to guide food to your mouth, rather than your fingers.
• Don't play with your utensils or tap them on the table.
• Don't use your utensils to gesture while talking.

Cultural Differences

• In some cultures, it's customary to finish a meal completely, while in others it's impolite to finish everything.
• In some cultures, it's customary to eat with your hands, while in others it's considered impolite.
• In some cultures, mealtime is a formal, structured event, while in others it's a casual, relaxed affair.
• Be aware of cultural differences and adapt your behavior accordingly.
• Research and learn about the cultural norms of the host or guests, if applicable.

Table Manners

• Keep elbows off the table and hands visible.
• Place napkin on lap, not on the table.
• Wait for the host to indicate where to sit before taking a seat.
• Don't start eating until everyone has been served and the host has indicated to begin.
• Chew with mouth closed and don't talk with mouth full.
• Avoid burping or making loud noises while eating.
• Refrain from double dipping or eating from a utensil that has touched your mouth.

Posture and Body Language

• Sit up straight with shoulders relaxed and back against the chair.
• Keep feet flat on the floor or on a footrest, if needed.
• Avoid crossing legs or ankles, as it can be seen as informal.
• Keep hands in lap or on the edge of the table, not on lap.

Effective Conversation

• Engage in polite conversation, avoiding controversial topics.
• Listen actively and respond thoughtfully.
• Avoid dominating the conversation or interrupting others.
• Use formal language, avoiding slang or colloquialisms.
• Show interest in others and ask open-ended questions.

Utensil Etiquette

• Hold fork correctly: tines facing down, held in dominant hand.
• Hold knife correctly: blade facing inward, held in non-dominant hand.
• Hold spoon correctly: held in dominant hand.
• Use utensils to guide food to mouth, rather than fingers.
• Avoid playing with utensils or tapping them on the table.
• Don't use utensils to gesture while talking.

Cultural Awareness

• Be aware of cultural differences in mealtime customs.
• Research and learn about cultural norms of the host or guests, if applicable.
• In some cultures, it's customary to finish a meal completely, while in others it's impolite.
• In some cultures, it's customary to eat with hands, while in others it's considered impolite.
• In some cultures, mealtime is a formal, structured event, while in others it's a casual, relaxed affair.

Etiquette

• Elbows should be kept off the table, with hands visible at all times
• Wait for the host/hostess to indicate where to sit before taking a seat
• Use a napkin by placing it on your lap, not on the table
• Wait for everyone to receive their food and for the host/hostess to give the okay before starting to eat

Dining Posture

• Sit up straight with feet flat on the floor or on a footrest, if needed
• Keep the chair close to the table, but not too close
• Avoid slouching, leaning on the table, and keep shoulders relaxed and head up

Conversation Skills

• Engage in polite conversation, avoiding sensitive or controversial topics
• Listen actively, respond thoughtfully, and avoid interrupting others
• Use an appropriate tone and volume, avoiding loud or aggressive speech
• Show interest in others by asking open-ended questions

Utensil Usage

• Hold fork in dominant hand, tines facing down, and knife in other hand, blade facing inward
• Use knife to cut food, then place it on the edge of the plate with blade facing inward
• Use fork to eat, keeping tines down, and avoid playing with utensils or tapping them on the table
• Use a spoon for soups and desserts

Cultural Differences

• Be aware that finishing a meal completely is seen as polite in some cultures, while leaving a small amount of food on the plate indicates fullness in others
• In some cultures, eating with the left hand is considered unclean, while burping is a sign of appreciation in others, but rude in many cultures
• Observe and follow the customs of your host/hostess or fellow diners, and ask questions if unsure