Designed to make you feel comfortable at a dinner party.
The meal begins when the Host or Hostess takes their napkin off the table this indicates, that you can now do the same. Place your napkin in your lap, if it is a large dinner napkin then you should fold it in half lengthways, and a small luncheon napkin should be open fully across your lap. Never shake your napkin open.
Your napkin should be kept on your lap throughout the meal. Do not wipe or clean your cutlery with the napkin, and never use it to blow your nose! At the end of the meal your host will signal this by putting their napkin on the table. Fold your napkin in loose folds and put it to the left of your plate. Never screw up your napkin and remember not to put it on your chair.
When to eat - when your Host or Hostess picks up their fork to eat, then you can also start to eat. Unless of course your Host/Hostess insists that you can start before them.
When sat at the table, any food dish/plate to your left is yours to use. Any glass/glasses to your right are yours.
Remember EAT TO YOUR LEFT, DRINK TO YOUR RIGHT Use the silverware farthest from your plate first - work from the OUTSIDE - IN
Knife should be in your right hand, and the fork shouldbe in your left. Eat with fork left hand with the prongs facing down. Utensils when used should never be put back on the table, just rest them on the side of your plate. Any unused cutlery simply leave on the table.
So that your plate/dish can be cleared away for you, then indicate you have finished by putting your fork tines upwards and the blade of the knife facing in towards the fork. Place the handles of your knife and fork at five o'clock and the tips of the knife and fork pointing to ten o'clock (Like a clock face).
General table manners - these will help you when at a formal dinner.
1) Do not put butter/spreads straight onto your bread from the butter dish. Put it on the side of your bread and butter plate.
2) If someone asks you to pass the salt, then always pass the salt and pepper together. This stops them being seperated and other guests struggling to find them.
3) Food is served to the left and removed from the right.
4) Do not pass anything directly into someone else's hands - place directly on the table.
5) Never grab a bread roll being passed to someone else!
6) Always scoop soup away from you, and you can tip the bowl slightly away from you to get the last drops if required.
7) If you season your food with salt and pepper, then try it before you season as it may already be quite salty!
8) Do not pick at your food if you do not like it and always try a little of everything on your plate.
9) When wine is being poured and you wish to decline the wine, then just hold your hand over the glass to signal you don't want any wine.
10) Blowing on your food to cool it down is a no no. If it is too hot, simply wait to let it cool slightly.
11) Keep your elbows off the table, and place your left hand in your lap.
12) Cut food up as you go along and keep it to mouth sized chunks. Try to keep your mouth closed when chewing and don't talk with your mouth full.
13) If you cough at a table then cover your mouth discreetly with your napkin.
14) Keep your mobile switched off or on silent.
15) If a woman leaves the table the men near her should stand up, likewise when she returns to sit, they should again stand.
16) When you have finished each course, you should leave your plates and glasses where they are and don't push them into the middle of the table or start stacking them.
17) Ladies - leave the lipstick for the powder room, never put on make-up at the table.
When to eat - when your Host or Hostess picks up their fork to eat, then you can also start to eat. Unless of course your Host/Hostess insists that you can start before them.