We will look at 8 points of table etiquette that will set you up, ready for your next big occasion or dinner date. Not only will you feel confident in any dining situation, you will most certainly impress any host or guest with your knowledge of etiquette.
These are more than your standard table manners, these are rules that outline the proper use of cutlery, how to sip a drink appropriately, when is the correct time to start eating at a formal gathering and how to raise a toast correctly.
1. Never place the tea bag on the saucer
When offered tea in a cup with a saucer, one must never remove the used tea bag and place it on the saucer. The saucer is there for the cup, it was introduced to protect furniture from the heat of the cup, not for holding tea bags. In this situation, ask for a separate bowl or dish for discarding your used tea bag.
2. Break the bread with your hands
In some restaurants you will be offered bread as an appetizer, in these instances you will find you are also offered butter. There will sometimes be a small side plate, which will be on the left of your main dinner setting, along with a butter knife. The important part here is that, it is a butter knife and not a bread knife. This means that you do not use that knife to cut open the roll. Instead, one must break the bread with their hands and only use the knife to spread small amounts of butter on to the roll.
3. Olive pits: Appetizer in the hand – Main course on the fork
This can be an awkward situation when the correct etiquette is unknown. Thankfully for you, we have all the information you need. Depending on whether you are having olives as an appetizer or as part of a main course, there are different appropriate ways of dealing with olive pits. For appetizers, pits must be placed in one’s hand. For a main course, the olive pits are placed on your fork.
4. Jam & Honey on the plate first
One must never use a knife to directly spread jam or honey onto bread. This leaves crumbs on the knife which may then end up in the jam and butter, which would be unpleasant for any other guests to find. What must be done in this situation is, use a small spoon to scoop some jam or honey onto your plate and from there, use your own knife to spread it onto your bread.
5. Never clink glasses in a formal setting
We all like to celebrate occasions with a drink, whether it’s a glass of fizz or a soft drink. But, did you know that it’s not always appropriate to ‘clink’ your glass? This is perfectly fine in celebrations with friends and family. However, in a formal dining experience, the correct etiquette is to simply raise your glass. This is a good guide to many fine dining situations however, different cultures may lead different practices so it is always important to do some research before attending an event that may differ ao you do not offend the host.
6. Leave a gap between eating and taking a sip
We still see this rule being broken from time to time but, it is important not to drink with food in your mouth. It is not good table manners. Instead, one must leave a gap between eating and taking a sip. This stops stains forming on the rim of your glass and is the correct table etiquette.
7. Focus on your glass while drinking
This may not be a rule you’re a conscious of doing. When taking a sip of a drink, the correct place to look is into your glass. One should not look ahead while having a drink. It is important to sip at your drink rather than drinking too quickly and it goes without saying that when it comes to alcohol, know your limits.
8. Wait for the host to start eating
When attending a private dinner party, it is important to watch the host or hostess. They will be your cue for when it’s appropriate to start eating. When your food is placed in front of you, do not start straight away, once the host or hostess has begun, only then, is it the right time to start eating.
Of course, these 8 rules on table etiquette are only a few of aspects in fine dining. There are many more including correct cutlery layout and when to use each piece, appropriate discussions to have around the dinner table, where to place your napkin and hands while dining.
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