The Do's and Don'ts of Dining Etiquette- A Guide by The Etiquette Academy

1. The Do's and Don'ts of Dining Etiquette: A Guide by The Etiquette Academy Dining etiquette is part of essential knowledge for any social and professional interaction. You would be attending a formal banquet, business lunch, or just a simple dinner. And proper table manners reflect respect and consideration for the people you share your table with. The Etiquette Academy will walk you through the dos and don'ts of dining etiquette and be sure to make a lasting impression. The Do's of Dining Etiquette 1. Observe Proper Seating Etiquette Wait for your host to show you where to sit before sitting. In formal settings, wait until the host takes their seat before you do. If dining in a private setting, help others get seated before taking your seat. 2. Use Utensils Correctly One of the fundamental rules of dining table etiquette is using utensils properly. Start from the outermost utensils and work your way inward as the meal progresses. The fork goes on the left, the knife and spoon are on the right. When finished, place utensils side by side on the plate to signal completion. 3. Practice Good Eating Manners and Etiquette ● Chew with your mouth closed. ● Take small bites and eat at a moderate pace. ● Swallow before speaking to avoid talking with food in your mouth.

2. ● Place your napkin on your lap and use it discreetly. 4. Table Manners Be mindful of your table manners. Do not reach over people to grab food, instead, ask someone to pass the item. If there are shared dishes, use serving utensils instead of personal cutlery to take your portion. 5. Respect the Dining Environment Whether at home or at a fancy restaurant, be considerate of the atmosphere. Maintain low noise levels, refrain from obnoxious behavior, and respect personal space. Mobile phones should be stowed away or placed on silent mode. 6. Converse Politely Apart from table etiquette, good eating etiquette entails many social manners. When you are in the company of your fellow dinner goers, therefore light up on what may light up the dinner conversation, showing them that you are present and interested and avoid sensitive or forbidden subjects. 7. Be Appreciative Thank the host or the server. If at someone's residence then thank them for the dinner. In a restaurant, show gratitude to the waiters by saying thanks politely. 8. Excuse Yourself Civilly If for any reason you need to leave the table, excuse yourself quietly. Place your napkin on your chair so they know you are returning. Do not push your plate away or leave utensils scattered when stepping away briefly. 9. Utilize Proper Dining Manners Etiquette for Toasting When raising a toast, maintain eye contact, take a sip, and place your glass back down. If you’re the guest of honor, respond to a toast with a brief but gracious acknowledgment. 10. Adhere to Cultural Dining Etiquette If eating in a foreign country, find time to learn the cultural norms of dining etiquette manners. Dining table etiquette is very much in a variety of cultures, so being informed will make you a respectable person by being considerate. The Don'ts of Dining Etiquette 1. Don't Place Elbows on the Table One of the fundamental rules of dining etiquette is to avoid resting on the elbows of the table. It's considered slovenly or lazy behavior and breaks the dining pattern.

3. 2. Do Not Talk While Your Mouth is Full Eating with your mouth full is perhaps one of the most heinous violations of dining etiquette. Swallow the food before starting a conversation. 3. Do Not Bring Your Phone to the Table You should not use your phone or text at the table. Be focused on the people at the table to properly show table eating etiquette. 4. Do Not Slurp or Chew with Mouth Open Chewing or slurping makes too much noise, which distracts other people and makes them feel uncomfortable. Make sure to eat quietly and not slurp on soups or drinks. 5. Do Not Cut All Your Food at Once While dining, cut your food one bite at a time rather than slicing everything on your plate at once. This follows proper etiquette at the dining table and maintains an elegant pace while dining. 6. Don't Reach Across the Table If you need something, ask that it be passed to you instead of reaching across others' plates. This prevents spills and maintains respect for personal space. 7. Don't Overindulge in Alcohol While toasting and enjoying drinks is part of many dining experiences, excessive drinking can lead one to engage in very bad judgment and behavior that would violate the etiquette of dining manners. 8. Don't Push Your Plate Away When Finished Instead of pushing your plate away, make proper use of the dining table etiquette by placing your utensils together on your plate. In that position, the server can tell you are done. 9. Don't Pick Your Teeth at the Table If something gets stuck in your teeth, excuse yourself to the restroom rather than using a toothpick or finger at the table. 10. Don’t Criticize the Food Even if the meal isn’t to your liking, refrain from making negative comments. Compliment something about the meal or remain neutral to maintain good dining etiquette. Dining etiquette is more than just the rules, it is a reflection of your character, social awareness, and respect for others. Practicing good table etiquette or better said, dining manners etiquette, creates a friendly atmosphere in every dining area for you and those around you. Confidence in any dining

4. situation arises from the do's and don'ts presented below regardless of whether you are conducting business at a professional gathering, attending a special event, or eating with friends and acquaintances. To serve this purpose, an etiquette academy focused on social refinement and dining etiquette is dedicated. We provide them with expert table eating etiquette as well as professional training in matters concerning eating manners and etiquette. Prepare for a sophisticated formal event or business dining affair, or if you simply need to improve on a new level of your everyday etiquette - be it for one or all purposes, The Etiquette Academy offers guidance toward classy dining conduct. By incorporating these guidelines into your routine, you’ll exude grace and confidence at any dining table. Happy dining!