Dining Etiquette

Dining Etiquette

Ellen on Etiquette http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3MAjoRehqw&feature=player_embedded Running Time: 6:30

Responez s’il vous plait • Respond whether or not you are going to attend. RSVP

Formal Dress: • GENTLEMEN: Tuxedo • LADIES: Long or mid-length evening dress with matching or coordinating shoes, purse, and jewelry Dressing for the Occasion

Semi-Formal Dress: • GENTLEMEN: Dark business suit & white shirt • LADIES: Knee length or mid-length evening dress, cocktail dress, or evening suit Dressing for the Occasion

Informal Dress: • GENTLEMEN: Polo-style shirt, golf shirts, dress slacks, dress blue jeans • LADIES: Slacks, jumpsuit, sport coordinates, dress blue jeans Dressing for the Occasion

Optional: • GENTLEMEN: Usually a combination of semi-formal or formal • LADIES: Usually a combination of semi-formal or formal Dressing for the Occasion

Arrive a few minutes early • Never arrive more than a few minutes late Arrive Early

Small gift • Avoid flowers, candy, wine, or desserts because the hostess will feel obligated to put it out immediately Bring a Hostess Gift

Formal Dinner Table Setting

Informal Dinner Table Setting • Eat to the left, drink to your right. Any food dish to the left is • yours, and any glass to the right is yours.

Wait for the host or hostess to sit before taking your seat. • At formal dinners, let the host or hostess seat you. Sitting Down to Eat

Gentleman pulls out chair or puts his hand on the back of the chair if it is already pulled out. • Ladies scoot the chair in while the gentleman’s hand rests lightly on the back of the chair. • Ladies quietly thank the gentleman Gentlemen Seating Ladies

Unfold napkin and place it on your lap • Napkin remains on lap until the end of the meal • When finished, lay the semi-folded napkin to the left of the plate • Do not: • Wipe your nose with the napkin • Clean your silverware with the napkin • Place the napkin on your plate or chair How to Use Napkins

At a Restaurant ● When everyone has been served At a Dinner Party ● When the host or hostess picks up their fork to eat ● When the host or hostess insists that you start eating When to Begin Eating

Use silverware from the outside in • When finished with your meal, place silverware in a clock position of 10 to four, with the handles at 4. • Never put used silverware back on table Using Silverware

Use silverware to remove unwanted pieces of food from your mouth (fish bones, fatty meat, etc.) • Cut only a few bites of food at a time. (Knife in right hand, fork in left) • Don’t push food onto your fork with bread or fingers. Using Silverware

Food is served from the left. • Dishes are removed from the right. Serving Food

Pass food to the right • Do not pass across the table • Pass salt and pepper together • Do not intercept food while it is being passed to others. • Use the serving utensils to serve yourself, not your personal silverware. Passing Food

Do not talk with food in your mouth • Cut no more than two bites of food at a time. • Do eat a little of everything on your plate. • Pace your eating so that you finish with others at the table. Eating Food

Keep elbows off the table. Keep left hand in lap unless it is being used. • No slurping or burping • Do not blow your nose at the table • If you must cough, cover your mouth with your napkin. • Turn off cell phones. If you must take a call, excuse yourself from the table • Do not use a toothpick at the table • Do not put on makeup at the table Table Manners

Assume the bill will be divided equally • If you know you are going to ask for a separate check, tell the server before you order • If you order more food than others at your table, be prepared to contribute more money toward the bill. Dividing or Sharing a Bill

T.I.P.S. means To Insure Prompt Service. • At a restaurant, tip 15% - 20% of the bill before tax is added (or double the tax) • Tip 25% for extraordinary service • If you use coupons, tip as if you didn’t Tipping

Send a thank you note to the host or hostess after a dinner party Thank You Note

Dining Etiquette