The Various Dining Etiquette Tips

By Teri Farley


Good table manners is a component of decent eating habits that cannot be ignored. In the daily life of an individual, this aspect comes in handy as it has to be used. People that know how to act at a dinner table have it very easy when they are guests. If they were hosts, it becomes very enjoyable as their hosts are bound to feel very much at home. Dining etiquette tips are basic practices that are bound to stick with continued practice. Such practice begins at home.

Once in a while during a meal one may need to leave shortly, either to the washroom or to answer a phone call or anything like that. In such instances, excusing oneself is something that has to be done. Whereas giving a complete explanation may not be very necessary, excusing oneself is. Unless it is something one considers confidential, giving a brief explanation ensures those that are left behind feeling more comfortable. Leaving without saying a word is considered rude.

The right posture makes dinner more enjoyable and may be the indication that one feels at home or is tense. There is no need to sit stiff at the table. Hunching shoulders over the plate, as is always associated with using forks like shovels, is a must avoid. In the same taste, slouching back on the chair is not good manners as it may show one is not interested either in the meal or the people accompanying them. The posture assumed ought to be relaxed and decent.

Depending on the circumstances, one may ask for a second helping or not. In formal dinners for instance, there may not be that provision, hence one should avoid asking for a second helping. In informal dinners, the host or hostess may serve guests the second helping or encourage them to do so on their own.

Coming across strange food during dinner is something anyone should expect. It may be the appetizer, main course or dessert. There are three options available if that be the case. One may decide to wait for someone that knows how to eat the food to begin then they follow suit. They could also ask how to eat the food, which is purely acceptable. As a last resort, they would rather avoid the food altogether than be subjected to humiliation.

Eating quietly is polite. The whole essence of table manners is unobtrusiveness. Any noise is bound to interfere with conversation. Scraping plates or loud chewing are practices that must be avoided. The conversation should be such that one considers the food in their mouth, lest it splash all over and spoil the fun.

Sneezing, coughing, yawning or blowing ones nose are natural and cannot be avoided, at least most of the time. The mouth or nose should be covered at such instances using a napkin. The napkin ought not be used to blow the nose, unless of course it is an emergency.

There are many other dining etiquette tips that need to be explored. Either way, after a meal there should be appreciation and complementing of the host or hostess. This is whether or not one has enjoyed the dinner.




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