Summary:
Many of us live very casual lifestyles, filled with children and close family. We may not think about “proper” table manners until we are dining with our employer, a prospective employer, or a client. This article is a comprehensive review of table manners for adults, and is categorized by General Manners, Utensil Etiquette, Leaving the Table Before Finished Eating, When You are Finished Eating,” and “Foods.”

Details or Sample:
If we had time to think about it, we would always sip our soup from the side of our spoon, not the tip. Never would we leave a lipstick smudge on a restaurant glass…if we only had time to think about it.

Let’s face it, we eat with our children most of the time, or maybe a burger, fries and a newspaper describes lunch, and dinner is Chinese take-out.

Here’s a refresher on basic table manners for adults:

General:
Blot lipstick before arriving at a dinner engagement. Not only is “smudging” unattractive but the residue is difficult to remove from the glass.

Enter the chair from the left.

A briefcase or large purse should be placed near your feet. A small purse may go in your lap, if preferred. Glasses may be placed on the tabletop.

When the host picks up the napkin, you may do the same.

Place the fold of the napkin toward your waist.

YOUR glassware is always on your right.

YOUR bread plate is always on your left.

Beginning and Ending: If you have a dinner “host, do not pick up utensils, a napkin or a glass, until the host does so first. Do not place your napkin on the table or in any way signal that have finished eating until the host does so first.

Chewing: Chew with your mouth closed, silently – no chomping or slurping. Eating with an open mouth, or making noises, are among the most offensive of all bad manners.

Chewing and Sipping: Take a drink only after you have swallowed the food.

Passing: Food should be passed to your right, or counter-clockwise. Items should not be “passed” to anyone else unless the item is in front of you – no reaching in front of another diner. When asked to pass the salt, or to pass the pepper, always pass both salt and pepper.

Elbows: Elbows should never be placed on the table, but resting your wrist and hand on the tabletop is acceptable.

Posture: Sit up straight.

Dropped Napkin: If you drop your napkin, and have an attentive waiter, signal that you need a clean napkin…or lean down and pick it up discreetly.

Dropped Utensils: If a fork, knife or spoon is dropped, do not pick it up and place it on the table. Signal the waiter that you need new utensils. If a waiter does not appear in a timely fashion, get up, place your unfolded napkin in the seat of your chair, and locate the waiter or manager to replace utensils for you.

Napkin: The napkin is for your mouth only – never for your face, nose or forehead.

Spills: If you spill something, try to protect other diners first, using your napkin to stop the liquid or food. Apologize calmly. If the food or beverage does spill onto another guest, offer your napkin, but do not touch the person yourself. Hail a waiter and get more napkins. Offer to pay for dry cleaning, if necessary.

Prayer: If the host says a prayer, no matter your religious preference, bow your head with the host; join hands if the host indicates. It is not necessary to pray – just be polite.

No Prayer: If no prayer is offered, but you want to pray, do so quietly and inconspicuously before food is served.

Sneezes or Coughs: Try to use a tissue, but if not available, use your napkin. If taken by surprise, use your hand to cover your mouth. Try to avoid wiping your nose on your napkin. Leave the table immediately for the restroom if your nose needs attention – placing the napkin, unfolded, in the seat of your chair.

Burps and Hiccups:....(CONTINUED)

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Written by: Aariana Adams
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