5 Tips On Table Manners
Table manners are one of the important aspects of one's personality. How you conduct yourself is how you are perceived. Good table manners are essential regardless of where you dine, whether at home, in a
Table manners are one of the important aspects of one's personality. How you conduct yourself is how you are perceived. Good table manners are essential regardless of where you dine, whether at home, in a restaurant, or at a party. When we sit down to dine, we should be comfortable but compliant with what’s right at the table! There are some fundamental manners that everyone should know and observe, whether it's the way we eat or the cutlery we use. It's something that will benefit us for the rest of our lives and will always make others think well of us. (Or so we hope)
Basics of Table Manners
Learning basics on your table manners is a wonderful way to prepare whether you’ve been invited to a dinner party or you’re heading out to dine. Table manners may make a positive impression on your fellow guests and make everyone feel joyful and at ease while enjoying their meal.
We’ve put up a list of things to keep in mind at the dinner table, so you can enjoy wonderful cuisines, good company of your friends and family and do it in style because as I always say “how you do anything is how you do everything”.
5 Tips on Table Manners
Napkin Etiquette
The minute you sit at a table, place the napkin on your lap. It’s an absolute no to tick it inside your collar. (My husband loves to do it not sure if it’s to get eyeballs, save his shirt or simply defy me., haha – in a casual setting with friends have fun but follow protocol in a formal setting)
Throughout the dinner, the napkin remains on your lap. Place the napkin on the chair if you need to get up for whatever reason. If you are getting up to go to the restroom – please don’t mention it, just excuse yourself.
A dirty napkin should never be placed on the table throughout the meal. There are 2 versions. When you finish, you fold the napkin and leave it at the table or on the chair. I believe both to be right.
Phone - A social Faux Pas
Put your phone on silent or vibration before heading to the table, then tuck it inside a pocket or purse. If you receive an urgent phone call (only if it’s urgent or simply ignore it when at a table) please excuse yourself from the table so that other guests are not disturbed.
Using your phone during a meal is a sign of being impolite and shows a lack of respect for the people you are dining with and even the delicious non-objecting food.
PHONE is a COMPLETE NO NO!
Elbows off
Do not slump or rest your elbows on the table while sitting at the table. The table is for serving food, not for resting your body on. It’s considered bad manners to put your elbows on the table since it takes up a lot of space. If there are any elder relatives around the table, they may do it, don’t judge them – they need the support not you 😜 Be upright straight back n elbows off the table. Especially in fine dining, you will be judged.
Bread & Butter etiquette
When it comes to bread, there are two simple principles to follow: never eat right off your bread roll, and never butter the entire roll. When it comes to bread, using your hands is entirely okay. Bread and butter etiquette dictates that you pull off a bite-sized piece of bread, butter it, and then consume it. Yup sounds painful but follow that rule for a croissant too which we all indulge in especially on vacations.
How you butter your bread after coaching with me is my bread n butter, so go on, do it right!
Sharing is Caring
If you want something far away, don’t reach out clumsily for it; instead, ask someone nearby to hand it to you. There is a rule of thumb: you always pick dishes in front of you, and never cross the plate of the person to your left or right to reach out. It’s Simple, ASK FOR IT. Give the dish to the person on your right once you’ve served yourself. Simple tips, but big impressions!
Sharing meals is an essential bonding ritual, and it’s also a great opportunity to meet new people. However, if you don’t have decent table manners, you risk losing the opportunity to create a relationship with your date, your interviewer, your customer, or your fiancé’s parents. You might also embarrass yourself at work, social meetings, and even family gatherings.
We have compiled five table manners to enjoy your dinner without worrying about embarrassing yourself.
In fact, here’s your opportunity to show you are totally la dee dah!!!!
“Good Manners show people We Respect them & respect is the most important emotion for good relationships!”
#CoachShaliniSays
