Dining Etiquette

First impressions have an important place in various walks of life and they go a long way in creating an ever-lasting impression about your personality. The right etiquette can help you in your professional and personal life as well. Making a powerful impression about yourself can help you get the most desirable jobs and also earn you respect in the society. After all, how many of us would want to deal with ill-mannered people? If you are a keen observer of people around you, you will notice that certain people have a way of getting around others by displaying good manners and behavioral patterns. Business etiquette is really as important as dining etiquette and these can make a world of a difference to your life. Most often, professionals often leave their dining etiquette way back in the school days. If you wish to sharpen your memory regarding your dining etiquette and discipline methods that you would need to maintain then read some of these dining etiquette tips mentioned below.

Dining Etiquette Tips:
With the kind of culture that exists today, dining etiquette is almost a thing of the past. You can use some of these dining etiquette tips to present yourself in an effective manner to the people around you.

It may sound old fashioned to some but remember that men have to be a little ahead of the women when they are going towards the dining table. They should stand till the host or the hostess finishes the announcements and sits down.

The napkin is another important part about dining etiquette and I have often seen people struggling with the same. Unfold the napkin only when everyone is seated at the dining table and place it on the lap. This has to be unfolded either in the shape of a large triangle or in the shape of a rectangle. Your napkin is not a substitute for tissue; you can always ask for a separate tissue paper if you feel the need to do so.

Talking with food in your mouth is the first mistake you would commit at the dining table. Dining etiquette needs to be maintained as talking too much at dinnertime can be a real turn off for many.

When you are at the dining table, you must know the order of the food and the crockery that is placed to be able to maintain the dining etiquette. Solid food is always placed on the left and any form of liquid is placed on the right. The largest plate is the dinner plate, a medium sized plate would be your salad plate and a small sized plate would be your bread plate. The glass of wine or water will be placed on the right side. Begin using the spoons and forks from the outside area and towards the inside of the plate.

Use the knife to butter the bread. Take some amount of butter in your plate and use the butter knife to spread the butter.

When soup is served to you, it may at times be really too hot to be consumed. Even then, blowing on the hot soup is not the right kind of dining etiquette one would expect from a professional!

Sometimes the salad may contain huge leaves that may be a little cumbersome to eat. In that case use your salad fork to cut them into smaller pieces.

Order something that is easy to eat if you wish to avoid drawing attention to yourself! This will be particularly helpful if your employer gives the dinner party.

Always remember to maintain a correct posture at the dining table. Remember one important thing about dining etiquette; do not rush to grab food in front of a person.

If you notice that some wine has also been served then pick up the glass by holding the stem of the glass. You need to use your thumb and the first two fingers for this.

When you use the knife to cut small pieces of food, cut only 2 to 3 pieces at a time. Eat only few pieces at a time as well.

When it’s time to use the finger bowl, dip the fingers of only one hand at first. Use the napkin on your lap to dry them.

Dining etiquette is not really as difficult as it may seem to be. You may find it difficult to adjust in the beginning but remember that all it takes is a little bit of thinking and consideration from your side to be able to present yourself in the best manner possible.