TABLE MANNERS--PART 3

your environment

You have hopefully already learned how to hold the utensils throughout different courses of a formal dinner. Proper etiquette is more than knowing when and how to use utensils. A good start is to develop the habit of observing people around the table on the dining methods they use in the course of the evening. Learning from your surrounding environment can be very useful in many situations, including at a formal dinner. Here are more tools you could use to achieve a solid basic knowledge of proper table manners.

when to begin eating

At a small event, someone should wait until everybody gets served before starting the meal. At larger events, the host will usually urge his guests to start eating upon reception of the food. This will not allow the food to get cold. In this case, wait until one or two of the other guests are ready to begin as well, so that you are not the only person at the table eating.

proper posture

Proper posture at the table is very important. Make sure to sit up straight, with your arms held near your body. Never, I repeat never, hang your elbows heavily on the table when at a formal dinner. It is permissible to lean forward slightly every now and then and press elbows very lightly against the edge of the table, if it is obvious that you are using them for support.

how to use a napkin

The formal use of a napkin is a delicate affair. The napkin is meant to be dabbed at the lips and should not be dirtied in the process. Because every step of the proper etiquette is to preserve cleanliness and proper appearance, if everything goes well during the dinner, it is only normal that the napkin will not get used. At the beginning of dinner, unfold the napkin and put it on your lap, as this gesture will be acceptable anywhere. A little tip; if you're at an extremely formal dinner and your napkin drops to the floor, signal a staff member so that he can pick it up and bring a fresh one. Finally, when leaving the table after the meal, the napkin should be loosely placed beside the plate. Simply leave your napkin loose on the table without folding, crumbling or twisting it.

how to eat your soup?

Always move the soupspoon away from your body and fill it up two-thirds of its capacity. Then, sip the liquid sideways without inserting the whole bowl of the spoon in the mouth. Slurping is probably the worst thing someone can do when eating soup. A question always comes up when eating soup. Is it proper to tilt the plate? It is appropriate to tilt the bowl, away from the body, to get the last spoonful or two of soup.

how to eat your soup?

Here is a perfect example that points out that etiquette is not about efficiency. When someone asks you for the salt, simply pick up both the salt and the pepper and place them within reach of the person next to you, who will do the same until they reach the person who asked for it. Salt and pepper should not be passed hand-to-hand, nor should anyone other than the original requester sprinkle the food with it.

inedible food?

Food should come out of the mouth the same way it came in. Therefore, if for example, you take an olive with your hand, when removing the pit from your mouth, use your hand as well. When eating meat with a fork, you have to use that fork to remove the unwanted fatty piece. An exception to this rule is fish. It is fine to remove tiny bones with your fingers, because it would be difficult to drop them on a fork. When a piece of fat is too big to be removed with the fork, use a napkin discretely to discard the meat, so you can keep it out of sight.

how to eat your soup?

Artichokes- Eat the leafs until you see the heart, then use a fork and knife to cut it

Asparagus- They may be eaten with your fingers as long as they are not covered with sauce

Bread- Must always be broken and never cut with a knife

Cookies

Chips, French fries, fried chicken, and hamburgers

Hors d'oeuvres, canaps, crudits

Sandwiches

Small fruits and berries on the stem

There is a lot to be learned in order to become an expert on formal etiquette, but these basic tips are enough to offer you ease and comfort when attending a formal dinner. A little suggestion would be to practice these formal etiquette tips when dining at home. With practice, table manners will become a routine and will be a reflection on your social presence.