Proper dining or how not to embarrass yourself at the table
Do you know how to dine properly? We offer you some useful dining rules that will surely make you shine at the table.
At home, we usually don't pay much attention to etiquette, but each of us should know the basics of proper dining . We are increasingly attending festive events, business meetings, and other formal events that involve lunch or dinner at a restaurant, and we simply don't want to embarrass ourselves. Do you know how to dine properly, what is permissible at the table and what is not, or do you prefer to avoid luxury restaurants altogether?
Dining etiquette is more important than it seems and can be a nightmare for the uninitiated. Thanks to the finesses learned correctly, your insecurity will disappear and you will leave a good impression in society. So let's remember a few basic tips and principles that will help you score points at the table and eat without fear, with grace and perspective.
Basic dining rules
The man always seats the woman first, in a more prominent place with his back to the wall or where there is a better view. Only then does he sit down himself.
The woman sits on the first third of the chair and puts her handbag on the remaining ones, behind her. A handbag does not belong on the floor.
We only fold a napkin on the lap if it is cloth. Women always fold it in half, with the open part facing you, so that they can wipe their mouth on the back of the napkin and the napkin does not have a visible lipstick mark on its front side at first glance. A paper napkin does not belong on the lap. When you excuse yourself and go to the toilet, do not forget to fold the cloth napkin in half and put it next to your plate.
Always have your plate of pastries on your left side; do not cut the pastries, but tear them into small pieces.
Always order the same number of courses as your partner and never let them eat alone. If you are not hungry or are on a diet, feel free to have two small appetizers, with one served as an appetizer and the other as a main course.
Divide your food so that you finish the same amount as your partner. Again, no one should eat alone.
Always hold stemmed glasses by the stem, not the body of the glass.
To avoid leaving a lipstick mark all over the neck of the glass, always hold the glass so that your thumbnail is pointing at the same spot each time.
The number of cutlery pieces corresponds to the number of courses and is arranged sequentially from the outside towards the plate. Hold the cutlery pieces so that their ends remain hidden in the palm of your hand.
Dessert cutlery consists of a dessert spoon and a fork. The spoon belongs in the right hand and the fork in the left.
When ordering coffee after a meal, I recommend choosing coffee without milk. Remember, we don't lick the spoon, we just stir the drink with it, shake it, and put it back on the saucer.
When you finish, place the cutlery on the plate facing you, facing sideways. Only put the napkin on the plate if it is paper, cloth napkins do not belong on the plate.
And finally, accidents that can and do happen
If you find yourself in a situation where your host orders a local delicacy and you find that you simply can't have it, stay calm, make conversation, cut the food into small pieces, move it around the plate, and only put what you can into your mouth. For example, a side dish, a pastry, or just an empty fork. It is impolite to refuse local specialties.
A little tip at the end
And finally, we'll add one little tip: Give time and space to others at the table, let them talk and listen. Don't try to draw all the attention to yourself at all costs.
Well, that's all for today and we just hope that you will put all the tips to good use at the table. And if you want to learn more about dining and etiquette, check out the website of the author of this article – Petra Davidson .
