Enjoying Mealtime

Enjoying Mealtime Chapter 54

Mealtime customs • Lighting candles • Sitting in a certain place • Eating in kitchen instead of dining room • some customs are simple • Mealtime a time to share ideas, etc

Family times may signify religious or cultural ideas • Easter = Ham and yams • Confirmation = family and cake

In U.S. most families eat the largest meal at the end of the day • Lessons you learn from family at table help in your success in social situations

Family mealtimes also probe a time for a healthy eating patterns • Relaxation while eating helps digestion • 20 minutes until satisfied

Setting the Table • Families set the table in similar ways • Place setting is the arrangement of tableware that each person needs for a meal • Flatware is knife, for, teaspoon • Tableware is plate, glass and napkins

Place Settings

Place setting can include salt and pepper shakers • Serving spoons and forked are placed to the right of each dish until served

Special Touches • Table covering – linen tablecloth • Table decoration – single cut flower, silk flowers, bowl of fresh fruit • Lighting – candlelight is the easiest, floating votives

Serving Styles • Family style – food is brought to the table in bowls and on serving platters, which are passed from person to person • To avoid confusion, food is passed to each persons right • Plate service -- when table space is limited • Table is set with appropriate flatware, glassware, and napkin • Food is put onto each person’s plat in kitchen and then brought to table

Buffet – all the plates, flatware, and food (in serving bowls and on platters) are arranged on a serving table • Dinner plates are placed on one end and people serve themselves • Pick up flatware, napkins, and beverages • Diners find a place to sit to eat

Using Good Manners • Food, style of service and appearance make a meal a success • Good manners are important

Way you look and eat and talk will indicate your respect for others • Practice at home for other social occasions

Appearance and Hygiene • Always wash your hands • Comb hair or freshen make up do it before you sit down • Need to cough, sneeze, cover mouth and nose with napkin and turn away from the table

Etiquette at the Table • Etiquette – accepted rules of behavior in a cultures • Use serving forks and spoons • Ask for serving dishes to be passed • Start with the outermost fork, spoon or knife and work your way in

Start eating only after everyone has been served • Chew and swallow before talking • Sit up straight at the table, don’t rest your elbows on the table • Keep your napkin on your lap • Cut several pieces of food at a time, place knife on edge of plate

Break breads or rolls into pieces with your hands instead of cutting or biting • Eat finger goods, such as chicken or French fries with your fingers at home or informal restaurants (formal – celery carrot sticks, olives, pickles, crisp bacon, sandwiches, bread and rolls, cookies

Signal that you have finished by placing flatware across the center of your plate and your napkin to the left of your plate

Conversation • Important part of dining • Time for warmth and friendships • Discuss topics of interest to everyone • Thank your hosts before you leave

Etiquette at Restaurant • Good manners are important • First time – look to see if it is informal or you are seated • To get attention of server, speak in normal tone of voice • After receiving bill • Quickly add it up

Tipping • Giving extra money to servers in appreciation of good service • In restaurants with table service ( servers take your over at the table and bring the food, and clean up after the meal) • Usually 15% to 20% • Some automatically calculate it for more than 6 diners

Enjoying Mealtime