HOLIDAYS
HOLIDAYS
Let's suppose that the Queen of England invited you over for a dinner party.
Beyond the "pinky up" rule when sipping tea, would you know which fork to use with each course or if it is acceptable to eat asparagus with your fingers?
Here are a few simple etiquette tips to help you navigate your way through a place setting and more the next time you are invited to a sit-down dinner party.
Increase your social I.Q. and mind your table manners with these etiquette tips.
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Dinner Party Arrival:
Back in the day, the proper arrival time for a dinner party was 10 minutes early and conversely, it seems as if today's guests arrive 10 minutes late.- A well-mannered dinner guest should arrive right on time.
- If you have an unforeseen situation where you will be late, call the host to let them know.
- Never bring an uninvited guest along with you unless the invitation allows for it.
Host Gift:
It's a nice gesture to bring the dinner party host a gift.- Flowers are ideal and wine is fine!
- Never show up with a surprise dish, such as dessert, unless you've been asked to do so by the host.
Cell Phone Etiquette:
There's nothing ruder than a guest's cell phone buzzing or ringing at any point during an intimate dinner party.- Turn off your cell phone or put it on vibrate.
- If you absolutely need to check messages (i.e. to see if the babysitter called), excuse yourself from the main party room to do so.
Most of us know that elbows on the dinner table are a no-no. Read on for more useful etiquette tips.
Taking your Seat at the Table:
- Wait for the party host to take his or her seat first.
- If there are no place cards, politely ask, "Where would you like us to sit?"
- Never take the seat at the head or foot of the table unless invited to do so by the party host.
- Keep your elbows off the table.
Napkin Etiquette:
- After you take your seat at the table, place your napkin in your lap.
- Blot your mouth when necessary as opposed to giving it a big wipe.
- If you need to excuse yourself, place your napkin next to your plate. Never place a napkin on the plate or the chair.
- When finished with the meal, place your napkin neatly on the left side of the plate, as this is where it should have been when you first took your seat.
- Never use your napkin to blow your nose, mop your brow, or clean your utensils.
Silverware Etiquette:
- Silverware is set in the order of how it will be used, starting with the outermost utensil for the first course.
- For the next course, you would use the next utensil working your way in towards the plate and so on, using a new utensil for each meal.
- Obviously, use your best judgment with each course, as the outermost spoon would be for soup and a fork for salad or an appetizer.
- A place setting with utensils set at the 12 o'clock position in relation to the plate are for dessert and coffee or tea.
- There are two methods, American and European, which dictate that a certain hand should hold a specific utensil when cutting and eating along with rules about fork tines.
- However, if you're left-handed, the etiquette doesn't apply. Most people use their left hand for the fork, as it is initially set on the left side of the plate, and their right hand for the knife.
- The main thing to keep in mind with utensil use is to be graceful. Don't gesticulate with your utensils like a music conductor with a baton and don't stab your food!
- Never place a dirty utensil on the tablecloth. Always set your utensils on the plate when taking a sip of wine or conversing.
- When finished with your meal, place your knife and fork together with the handles at the five o'clock position on your plate and the tips towards 10 o'clock. Always make sure that the knife blade faces in.
How do you eat food with a pit in it? Find out the proper way to eat your favorite foods at a dinner party.
Dinner Party Etiquette: Food
- Wait for the party host to take the first bite of food before eating.
- Don't talk with a mouth full of food and chew with your mouth closed.
- Use a fork and knife for food on the bone, including: chicken legs, lamb chops, and ribs.
- Foods that are acceptable to eat with your fingers include: tail-on shrimp, artichoke leaves, sushi, tea sandwiches, rolls, and--believe it or not--asparagus stalks.
- Shellfish is typically served with a special fork, which you use to pick out the meat while you hold the shell with your fingers. An exception would be escargot, which is served with tongs and a fork.
- Twirl pasta like fettuccine or spaghetti on a fork into a nice tight roll to eat it. If you lift your fork and find long pasta strands hanging from it, twirl it again!
- Any food that is very greasy should be eaten with a fork, including French fries and bacon, if at all possible.
- To eat food with a pit in the center, such as an olive, eat around the pit and then place the pit on your plate. You can use your fingers or a fork to hold the food.
- Always cut food into smaller pieces if it is too large to fit in your mouth, such as salad leaves. Or break finger food like dinner rolls into smaller bits as opposed to taking a bite out of it.
- Dip your spoon into soup moving away from your body and then bring it up to your mouth. It's acceptable to tilt a soup bowl to spoon out the last drop. However, it's never proper to pick up the bowl and drink from it.
- Don't ever slurp soup, coffee, tea, or any liquids.
- Never blow on food to cool it off. Simply wait.
- Don't reach for food or a tabletop item. Ask guests to "please pass the salt."
- Always pass food on its plate or in its container. Don't pick up a roll and pass it down the table.
When the party's over, leave with the same style and grace you had upon arrival.
- Don't overstay your welcome.
- An hour or so after leaving the dinner table is when you should consider going home.
- Thank your party host and follow up by sending a thank you note within two weeks after the party.
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