Dining Etiquette
TABLE manners is something that you must always take with you. Whether it’s a dine out with family, co-workers, friends or with just anyone — practising proper table manners must always be a priority.
Arrival/sitting down
Do not place any bags, purses, sunglasses, cell phones, or briefcases on the table.
Have proper posture and keep elbows off the table.
Wait 15 minutes before calling to check on the arrival status of your dinner partners.
Table setting
When presented with a variety of eating utensils, remember the guideline to ‘start at the outside and work your way in’.
For example, if you have two forks, begin with the fork on the outside.
Do not talk with your utensils and never hold a utensil in a fist.
Set the utensils on your plate, not the table, when you are not using them.
Napkin
Typically you want to put your napkin on your lap (folded in half with the fold towards your waist) soon after sitting down at the table, but follow your host’s lead.
The napkin should remain on your lap throughout the entire meal.
Place your napkin on your chair, or to the left of your plate, if you leave the table as a signal to the server that you will be returning.
When the host places their napkin on the table, this signifies the end of the meal. You should then place your napkin on the table as well.
Ordering and being served
Do not order the most expensive item from the menu, appetisers, or dessert, unless your host encourages you to do so. While it is best not to order alcohol even if the interviewer does, alcohol, if consumed, should be in moderation.
During the meal
Eat slowly and cut only a few small bites of your meal at a time. Chew with your mouth closed and do not talk with food in your mouth.
Pass food items to the right (i.e. bread, salad dressings). If you are the individual starting the passing of the bread basket, first offer some to the person on your left, then take some for yourself, then pass to the right.
Pass salt and pepper together, one in each hand. If someone has asked you to pass these items, you should not pause to use them.
Taste your food before seasoning it.
Do not use excessive amounts of sweeteners - no more than two packets per meal is the rule of thumb. Bread should be eaten by tearing it into small pieces, buttering only a few bites at a time. Do not cut bread with a knife or eat whole.
Gently stir your soup to cool it instead of blowing on it. Spoon your soup away from you.
You do not have to clean your plate. It is polite to leave some food on your plate.
When you have finished
When you are finished, leave your plates in the same position, do not push your plates aside or stack them.
Lay your fork and knife diagonally across the plate, side by side, pointing at 10:00 and 4:00 on a clock face. This signifies to the wait staff that you have finished.
Always remember to thank your host.