Dinner Impressions

Getting ahead in your career doesn’t just happen over the boardroom table, it also happens over a lunch or dinner table. Knowing your desert spoon from your bread knife and your napkin etiquette can ensure you make a professional and powerful impression. But where do you learn this stuff these days? No time for a June Daly Watkins course?! Well we have done the research and information gathering for you – so tuck that napkin down your shirt and dig in!

These tips are specific to an Australian cultural context. If you find yourself in a different cultural context then do your homework on expected etiquette to ensure you make the best impression.

THE TIPS:

Off on the Right Foot:

• Be punctual – never more than 10 minutes late. If you are running late, ensure you have let them know you are running late and why.
• If the dinner is at someone’s home it is considered good etiquette to take something along for the host. That could be wine or flowers. And make sure you thank the host when you leave.
• Never start eating before a signal from the host to do so.
• Remember LIQUIDS ON THE RIGHT, SOLIDS ON THE LEFT. So your bread plate will be on your left and your glasses will be on your right. This way you will never eat someone else’s bread again!

Food & Drinks:

• Never, never, never make loud eating noises like slurping, chewing or burping. And that also includes not trying to talk with your mouth full.
• It’s advised not to use bread rolls to dip into soups or to soak up sauces, leave that for at home.
• With soups use your spoon and spoon the soup away from you when you take it out of the bowl and sip it from the side of the spoon.
• When served a bread roll on a bread plate, break the bread apart with your fingers so that it is in pieces small enough for one or two bites. Then butter a pulled apart piece and then eat it. It is not advised that you butter the entire roll at one time.
• Butter should be taken when passed, and placed onto your bread plate, never directly onto your bread.
• When eating meat it is advisable to always cut and eat one small piece at a time.
• It is advised to order food that you will be able to eat with your knife and fork. Finger foods can get messy.
• If food spills off your plate, you may pick it up with one of your utensils and place it on the edge of your plate.
• Never spit a piece of food out! Remove the food from your mouth with the same utensil it went in with. Place the piece of food on the edge of your tongue and put it back onto your utensil and then return it to the edge of your plate.
• Don’t season your food before you have tasted it. This is considered offensive to the chef.
• Make sure you don’t drink too much alcohol during the meal, you want to remain in control and making the best impression. If wine is served with each course, it is quite ok to not finish each glass.
• Managing your eating and drinking. Finish chewing what is in your mouth before you take a drink.
• It is inappropriate to ask for a doggy bag when you are a guest, unless offered of course.

At the Table:

• If what you want on the table is out of reach it is best to ask for the guest closest to it to pass it to you, rather than you reaching over people. If you absolutely must then a polite “Excuse me” as you reach is always appreciated.
• Always create and make fun, interesting and ongoing conversation with those guests around you.
• Grooming at the table is a no. That is brushing your hair, applying lipstick or picking teeth (unless toothpicks have been provided). Excuse yourself and do those things in the bathroom.
• Sit up straight in your chair at the table. It makes a good impression.
• When you are not eating, keep your hands on your lap or resting on the table with your wrists on the edge of the table. Elbows on the table are acceptable only between courses, not while you and others are eating.

Napkins:

• When you arrive unfold your napkin, or wait for it to be unfolded for you by restaurant staff, and place it on your lap. With large napkins then fold it in half before putting it onto your lap.
• Use you napkin to wipe your fingers and lips.
• Use your napkin before drinking from a glass or cup.
• When you have finished your meal leave your napkin tidily on the middle of your place setting, if your crockery has been cleared. If it has not been cleared, leave it to the left of your plate.
• Never use your napkin as a handkerchief, unless absolutely necessary. If you sneeze, excuse yourself and go to the bathroom to blow your nose.
• Place your napkin on your chair when excusing yourself during the meal
• Never leave or place your napkin onto your plate.

Utensils:

• Desserts can be eaten with both a spoon and fork, or just a fork alone.
• Forks should not be turned over (so they are like a spade) unless being used to eat peas, rice or other similar foods. In this case you should transfer the fork to your right hand and use it.
• It is quite acceptable at a BBQ to eat with just a fork.
• If one of your utensils falls on the floor, pick it up and then let your server know you dropped it and ask for a clean one.
• Never use a knife or utensil to point at someone. Always place them down when using your hands.
• If you arrive and there is a lot of utensils and you are not sure what is for what, follow the rule of outside in toward the plate.

Some Oldies but Goodies:

• Never out dress the host/ess.
• If you want to bring a guest, always ask the host first and confirm with them.
• Hold the knife and fork with the handles in the palm of the hand, forefinger on top, and thumb underneath. Rest your knife and fork on either side of the plate between mouthfuls. When finished place them side by side in the centre of your plate.

From http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/Lifestyle/proper_table_manners.htm