What are ETIQUETTES?

DINING ETIQUETTES

ETIQUETTES Set of rules or customs which control accepted behavior in a social group or situation.

PRE DINING ETIQUETTESAs the host, confirmation must be taken a day or two prior to the dinner meet.

Re-confirm with the restaurant before leaving for the dinner meet.

Be sure to arrive on time.

Call ahead if you know you will be late.

Take care of all details ahead of time.

GETTING SEATEDWhile finding a table on your own the host should take the lead.

Greet your guests once they arrive and make appropriate introduction.

Extend the best seat to your client or the most important guest making sure that nobody else feels unimportant.

NAPKINSOnce seated, wait for your host to place the napkin on his/her lap.

Gently unfold and place your napkin on your lap when everyone is seated.

Never tuck your napkin into your belt, shirt or collar.

ContdWhen meal is finished, place your used napkin to the right/left of your plate.

Do not use your napkin to wipe your face, neck, chin, etc.

DINING STYLES Continental/European Style :

Knife in right hand, fork in left hand.

Eat food with fork still in left hand.

Incorrect way of Using

Correct way of using

ORDERINGWait for the host to order, unless he/she directs you to go first.

Do not order the most expensive item on the menu.

Stay away from messy, hard to eat foods.

Do not order alcohol unless your host does. Never order more than one drink.

PASSINGFood is passed from left to right.

Pass the salt, pepper, butter and sauces to the right.

Always pass the salt and pepper as a pair.

BREAD

The person closest to the basket or plate offers it to the person on his left, helps himself and passes to the person on his right.

SOUPSoupspoons are usually too large to fit completely in your mouth, therefore, sip from the side of the spoon.

Spoon your soup away from you towards the center or top of the bowl.

When finished, place the spoon on the right side of the under plate.

Finished position

Finished position

SEQUENCE OF COURSESAppetizer

Soup

Salad

Main course/Entre

Dessert

After dinner beverage

PAYING THE BILLIt is the responsibility of the host to reach for the bill.

As a host, you might show up early and give your credit card in advance.

Another option is to tell your server (when you are seated) that the bill should be given to you at the end of the meal.

ContdWhen the bill arrives and you find that there is a mistake on the charges, do not take out a calculator or try to argue about the bill with the server.

Go to the head servers station and resolve the problem with the bill.

BASIC TABLE MANNERS Do not put too much food into your mouth.

Do not talk with your mouth full.

Do not pile too much food on your plate.

Do not drink alcohol unless your host orders a drink first.

Do not drink more than one or two drinks. It is always acceptable to refuse.

Never chew with your mouth open or make loud noises when you eat.

Contd When cutting food (meat, salad, etc.), cut enough for two or three mouthfuls.

Taste your food first before adding salt.

Do not order one of the most expensive items on the menu.

Do not offer to pay if you are an invited guest.

Do not ask for a doggy bag.

Never spit a piece of bad food or tough gristle into your napkin.