Five Essential Rules for Dining

The question constantly comes up, “Are table manners really that important?” If you have ever dined with someone with less than adequate table manners, I think you would agree that the answer is a resounding ‘YES!!!!’

Simply put, table manners are what make us civil human beings. How one acts at the table is without a doubt one of their most visible social assets and can open or slam doors faster than you can say “pass the pork chops!” Every time I tell someone I teach etiquette they either run screaming or settle in with a long list of inquiring ‘how to’s.’

To save you from wondering and perhaps rescue you from your next dining blunder, may I suggest 5 essential things everyone MUST know when dining in public…

Napkins – Always put your napkin in your lap as soon as you sit down. The napkin should stay in your lap until the meal is completely finished, the check has been paid and everyone is standing to leave the table. Do not tuck it into your collar, use it to cover your plate when finished eating or place a dirty napkin on the table while others are dining. Should you need to leave the table while the meal is in progress, place your napkin on the seat or arm of the chair. When the meal is finished the napkins should rest
neatly by the left side of your plate.
Where do I begin? There can be up to 10 pieces of silverware at one place setting so selecting the correct utensil for each course can be intimidating. Start from the outside of the place setting and work your way towards the center of the plate – thus your utensils on the outside would be used for your appetizers and first course, the utensils along the edge of the plate would be used for your entrée. If are really lost you can always follow the host for proper cues as to what utensil you should be using. When finished, utensils should lay together on the plate, and never be placed back on the table cloth.
To butter or not to butter – That is the question!! The more important question unfortunately is how to eat your bread without unintentionally embarrassing yourself. The solution – small, bite-size pieces. This applies to all things bread – a roll, a slice of bread, a muffin or bagel. Tear off a small bite-size piece of bread and apply butter with your knife (or not) to that one piece and eat, then repeat.
Salt & Pepper – They are ALWAYS passed together when they relocate. If someone just asks for the salt, they will get the pepper too. While on the topic, remember to never touch the tops of the salt & pepper for obvious sanitary reasons. You may sprinkle into your palm to control your consumption, but never touch the top or remove the lid for any reason.
Unidentified Food Objects – They end up in your mouth, should not swallow them? Spit them out? Remove with your fingers? The polite way to remove this object is to use the same utensil used to put it in your mouth. If this is not possible, the best course of action is to quietly excuse yourself and go take care of the problem in the privacy of the restroom.

These are just 5 of countless important rules to help us navigate the dining table with ease. Learn all the other dining tips, tricks and taboos in an Etiquette Essentials course with Katherine.

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Katherine Mason Young believes that strong social skills are essential for success. They can open doors for new opportunities, impress potential employers, resolve conflicts, and even help secure a first date. She brings these crucial skills to life, showing us how to connect with others and navigate the world with both courage and confidence.