My mother, who is very proper, maintains that you can start as soon as two people have been served. Can anyone corroborate?
2007-02-09 15:34:50 · 9 answers · asked by ERIC R 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Absolutely wait until everyone has been served, or until your host or hostess says dig in. If the group is any larger than about 8 people, hopefully your hostess will have the presence of mind to invite her guests to go ahead and eat after 2 or 3 people have been served, but if she says nothing you should wait until all have been served and she is seated.
Exception: If you are eating family style (i.e. the meal is on the table and you're passing the dishes and serving yourself) you may typically start eating after you are done putting food on your plate, or if you family says grace, after the blessing.
2007-02-09 16:38:16 · answer #1 · answered by Hamlette 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Official etiquette would be to wait for everyone to be served, however fortunately there are many people who have noticed that this isn't fun for those who were served first :-) So often times, especially when there's a larger group, the host or hostess will invite everyone to start as soon as they are served. Very considerate and practical, I must say!
2007-02-10 11:55:03 · answer #2 · answered by Sheriam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are at a formal, sit-down meal, you ALWAYS wait until the host or hostess takes the first bite from their meal! If it is a less formal occasion, you may wait until host/hostess invites you to ea(example: dig in, etc). If it is a buffet meal you should wait until everyone at your table has their plate and ready to begin their meal.
If you want to "prove" to your mom that you have found otherwise, I would suggest going to your local library, picking up a copy of Amy Vanderbilt or Miss Manners and make a photocopy of it at the library.
The main thing to being "mannerly" is just remember to treat others as kindly as you know how. Good luck!
2007-02-10 01:26:45 · answer #3 · answered by batsonskis 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If I'm in a restaurant or at family gathering I excuse myself and tell that I like my soup hot. If I am at a formal dinner most of the time there are several servers and everybody gets their soup at the same time so there's no problem.
If it's a traditional dinner, let's say Thanksgiving, of course everybody has to wait for the head of the family to give thanks, and the same will do if a family custom is to say a pray before meals regardless of the occasion.
2007-02-10 02:08:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you are at a table of people I think it's best to wait until all are served. If you are at a reunion or large banquet with lots of people you could go ahead and start.
2007-02-09 23:41:11 · answer #5 · answered by winkcat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can start as soon as the hostess tells you to. Generally it's considered to be good manners to wait for everyone, but if your mom is the hostess and tells you to start eating, start eating.
2007-02-09 23:49:14 · answer #6 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes I think everybody can take longer time and the meal will cool down. so all people on table or 2-3 besides you can together start eating..
2007-02-09 23:45:51 · answer #7 · answered by mcharate 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its proper to wait
2007-02-10 00:47:48 · answer #8 · answered by angryangel35 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say you can start after you say grace.
2007-02-10 00:01:11 · answer #9 · answered by Tonya W 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋