Basic Etiquette Tips & Table Manners

1.      Serve guests of honor, woman first, then male, then counterclockwise around the table.  Serve  host/hostess last.

2.      Wait to eat until host/hostess begins.  At a large party host/hostess urges everyone to begin as they are served.

3.      Place knife and fork on plate after using, knife with sharp edge facing in and fork with tines up (American) or down (Continental) and placed so they will not fall off the plate.

4.      Never place used silverware on the table or leave it in a cup or small bowl.

5.      A used soup spoon is left in a large soup plate or on the plate under the soup bowl.

6.      A used coffee spoon is placed on the saucer beneath the handle of the cup.

7.      When you are finished, place the fork and knife parallel to each other, so they lie either horizontally across the center of the plate or are on the diagonal, with the handles pointing to                                                    the right. 

8.      Dessert silverware – Place so the spoon can be picked up with the right hand and the fork so it can be picked up with the left hand.

9.      The napkin – as soon as you are seated, remove the napkin from your place setting, unfold it, and place it in your lap.

10.  If your napkin falls on the floor during a formal meal, do not retrieve it.  You should be able to signal a waiter that you need a fresh one.

11.  When you leave the table at the end of a meal, place your napkin loosely next to your plate.  It should not be crumpled or twisted, it may be casually folded.  You may place it in the napkin ring if one is present. 

12.  When you leave the table at the end of a meal, place your napkin loosely next to your plate.  It should not be crumpled or twisted, it may be casually folded.  You may place it in the napkin ring if one is present. 

13.  Do not place your napkin in your empty plate.

14.  When eating soup or dessert that has liquid, it is acceptable to tip the bowl when necessary, but tip it away from you.

15.  Test liquids before eating by testing a small amount with a spoon to see if it is too hot.  Never blow on food to cool it.

16.  Do not automatically add salt or pepper before tasting.  If you need to add to suit your taste, do it unobtrusively.

17.  When asked to pass the salt or pepper, pick up both the salt and pepper and place them on the table within reach of the person next to you who will do the same, and so on, until they reach the person who asked for them.  They are not passed hand-to-hand.

18.  When passing food, pass to the right.  When passing items such as a creamer or gravy boat, pass it with the handle pointing toward the person to who you are passing it.

19.  Remember what your parents told you.  Don’t talk with your mouth full, finish chewing, swallow the food and then talk.

20. Cut food into small pieces for eating.  If you try to eat large pieces, you may have difficulty chewing and might choke.

21.  People from different countries and cultures have table manners that may be different from yours.  Respect and accept people with other customs.