Anyone would brief me on the advanced manners at the dinner table?

Answer 1

If you have a 'fancy' dinner coming up, the first thing is to relax. Being nervous about doing the wrong thing can make it even worse.

Then, dress appropriately. Women should wear a something nice with nice flats or heels. Men should wear slacks, a button down shirt, and a tie. Jackets and suits are optional depending on where you are going (find out the dress code). And please, no tennis shoes, flip flops, or any other casual sandals.

Next, turn off your cell phone, pager, blackberry, or any other noisemaking device.

If you are a male with a date, you should hold the chair for your date. When she stands in front of it, you slightly push it in until it touches her legs. She'll then sit and do the rest.

Drink only if the host is drinking. And only order a drink if you plan on drinking it. ESPECIALLY if the host is ordering a nice bottle of wine. DO NOT accept a glass unless you plan on drinking it. A nice $100 bottle of wine means that if you take & don't drink, you've just wasted $20 - *and* someone else who appreciates the wine could have had it.

Your bread plate is to your left. You can remember this because your index finger and thumb make a 'b' when touched tip to tip and the other fingers held straight up. Appropriately, your drinking glasses are on your right, the finger and thumb that form a 'd'. This is becuse most people are right handed, so it's easier for them to get drinks.

Shared food is always passed to the right. This includes the bread basket, appetizers, and family style meals.

Once the bread has been passed or once appetizers have been started, place your napkin on your lap. Use the appetizer plate, usually directly in front of you for appetizers. Use the bread plate to your left for your bread.


Utensils are fairly easy to manage. Remember that you always work 'in'. So, if you have 3 forks on your left, your outside one will be for appetizers, the second for salad, and the one closest to the plate would be for dinner. Any utensils above the plates are for dessert. Nice restaurants will pull the silverware that you don't need and will bring you what you do need.

Of course, no elbows on the table.
No open mouth chewing.
If you are not the host, no asking for weird items once the food arrives (like ketchup for your prime rib) unless you have a dietary need.
Sit-up straight.
NO discussion of politics, religion, race, the war, hunting/fishing/animal cruelty, personal health, or anything else that people either don't care about or don't want to fight about. If someone else brings them up, then just smile and you can attempt to change the subject to one more pleasant. Tread lightly on opinion and emotional topics.

Sneezing or coughing should be done away from the table if possible. As should clearing your throat or anything that's gross sounding.

If a woman stands up to leave, it is good to half stand-up out of politeness.

Never start any course until everyone has received their food. This holds true for appetizers, bread, dinner, desert, salad - everything. If everyone has received their food except your date, then wait until s/he receives his/her food.

Anytime you have to leave the table, simply say 'excuse me' quietly. Place your napkin in your chair (not on the table).

Take home boxes for left overs are perfectly acceptable. Take home boxes for a complete meal for your kids at someone else's expense is a big giant no-no.

Never drink too much.

When done, thank the host appropriately.

Answer 2

Acceptance has given a great answer... not much I can say to add to it other than when in doubt, look to your host for clues.

If you are among friends or people who you are comfortable joking with, it has been my experience that saying asking is just fine. I remember being at a fancy restaurant once and getting a salad that was a wedge of some sort of lettuce with stuff around it and I didn't have the first clue how to start cutting it, eating it, whatever. So I just asked my friend who chose the place and we chuckled about it.

Answer 3

Have I sturdy table etiquette? of course. i discover it mandatory to open my mouth at the same time as eating besides the undeniable fact that, and also you'll locate that offensive. I were time-honored to sneak an elbow on the table at the same time as having espresso with a buddy, i ought to admit. yet i'm somewhat pleased with my upbringing. maximum individuals look below the effect that sturdy manners are some type of play-appearing, particularly than a lifestyle. i discover those human beings to be repugnant as they're intending to at least something which (in my opinion) is more desirable than likely, merely no longer of their DNA. authentic etiquette became designed to make others tender, no longer your self. If a centred visitor were to make an embarrassing fake pas on the dinner table, well mannered human beings ignore about it as besides the undeniable fact that it did not ensue. except it is something on a grand scale and easily might want to no longer be skipped over by absolutely everyone in the journey that they tried. (for instance they haphazardly poured the champagne contents into the hostess' lap at the same time as falling out of their chair). the astounding habit right it is to genuinely snort mild-heartedly and help the guy decrease back into their previous state of convenience. a sturdy hostess will snort the heartiest and observe to her visitors' dressing preparations, to boot as her own. If there have been no laughter, one would imagine that one among those habit became time-honored from the undesirable centred visitor, for Heaven's Sake! and that i'd prefer to rigidity the importance of being a sturdy host/hostess. In situations like this, it often times takes the emotionally injured a lengthy time period to get better and may receive a shot of brandy in a separate room to quiet his frazzled nerves. Why those activities regularly ensue to handsome youthful adult males is previous my comprehension, yet i comprehend that they choose a lot reassurance from me at the same time as serving contained in the hostess position. For some reason, i'm no longer as affected human being with ladies who choose my husbands' ideas on social gathering. As a hostess, i will ban them from my activities because i merely can't have sufficient money to interchange my Baccarat each and anytime that annoying lady includes visit. ladies who socialize communicate such concerns and also you are able to wager that we've our position playing cards so as, over in our nook. Our nook cabinets, stupid.

Answer 4

what are 'advanced' manners?

I know the standards... don't put your elbows on the table, put your napkin in your lap, chew with your mouth shut, don't talk with food in your mouth, wait to eat until everyone is served, ask to be excused before leaving the table, etc.

here's a link to some others regarding silverware usage etc.:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2004/12/11/HOGR3A8OPF1.DTL

Answer 5

always have your feet ON the table...oh oh and make sure your teeth are free of any thing in beteewn so feel free to use the tooth pick or your finger to get it out and make sure you say damn thats a big one.....it works for me

Answer 6

Smart sitting, sweet looking, silent eating, smooth speaking, and simple smiling.

Answer 7

Advanced manners?

Google it..........

Answer 8

Don't have your pants down!