Pre-Dinner Etiquette
- Arrive on time
- Call ahead if you know you will be late
- Wait 15 minutes before calling to check on the arrival status of your dinner partners
Sitting Down
- Do not place any bags, purse, sunglasses, cellphones, or briefcases on the table
- When you are all seated, gently unfold your napkin and place it on your lap, folded in half with the fold towards your waist
- Keep utensils in the same order they appear on the table
- Do not rearrange to accommodate yourself if you are left-handed
- Wait for all parties to arrive before beginning any part of the meal
Place Setting
There can be two types of place setting, informal and formal. The primary difference between the two is the number of items placed on the table. An informal table setting has minimal tableware and is used for up to a three-course meal while a meal of six courses calls for a formal setting.
Whether informal or formal place setting, use your utensils from the outside in.
Eating Styles
American Style (Switch and Switch Style)
The American style, also known as the Switch and Switch Style, is the most used in the United States. It consists on cutting the food with the right hand and holding the food with the left, then switching hands to eat with the right. It is never appropriate to cut more than one bit-size piece at a time. After cutting the food, you lay the knife on the edge of the plate with blades facing in. The entire process is repeated as your need to cut food continues.
The American style, also known as the Switch and Switch Style, is the most used in the United States. It consists on cutting the food with the right hand and holding the food with the left, then switching hands to eat with the right. It is never appropriate to cut more than one bit-size piece at a time. After cutting the food, you lay the knife on the edge of the plate with blades facing in. The entire process is repeated as your need to cut food continues.
When talking, drinking or excusing yourself from the table, set your fork so that the tines are facing up and balance the knife on the right side of your plate.
To indicate that you have finished eating, the utensils are placed together on the plate with the fork tines up and the knife parallel with the blade facing in.
Continental/European Style (Double Fisted)
Another acceptable eating style in the United States is the Continental style, also known as the Double Fisted style. This style requires less switching of utensil and it is most commonly used outside of the United States. This is a style you will want to master when traveling abroad.
In the Continental style, as in the American style, the fork is held in the left hand, tines down; the knife in the right hand. You cut the food with the right hand and use the left hand to hold the food while cutting and when eating.
Another acceptable eating style in the United States is the Continental style, also known as the Double Fisted style. This style requires less switching of utensil and it is most commonly used outside of the United States. This is a style you will want to master when traveling abroad.
In the Continental style, as in the American style, the fork is held in the left hand, tines down; the knife in the right hand. You cut the food with the right hand and use the left hand to hold the food while cutting and when eating.
When talking, drinking or excusing yourself form the table, keep your fork tines facing down, over your knife.
When you have completed your main course, the utensils are placed together on the plate with the fork tines down and the knife turned inward anywhere between the clock position of four and six.
Dining Do's and Don'ts
General Etiquette:
Utensils:
While Eating:
- Turn off cell phones
- Have proper posture
- Keep elbows off the table
Utensils:
- Never hold a utensil in a fist
- Do not talk with your utensils
- Set the utensils on your plate, not the table, when you are not using them
While Eating:
- Wait for everyone to get their meal before starting yours
- Do not talk with your mouth full
- Do not chomp ice
- Take small bites
- Do not blow on food that is hot
- Try to pace yourself to finish at the same time as everyone else
- If you leave the table, excuse yourself and place your napkin on your seat
- Do not push your plate away from you when you are finished