Welcome to our Modern Day Event Etiquette section - here you will find some tips and tricks, and common Q&As regarding event etiquette, and if you want the answer to something not listed here, let us know and we'll find it out for you! Enjoy!

Labels: eventetiquette

Table Manners 101

It's an age old tradition: the dinner party. A chance to get together with friends, and partners of friends, and eat, drink and be merry! However, sometimes the idea of 'behaving properly' can be a bit daunting, particularly when you haven't had a lot of experience in a formal dining environment.



Image: Prague Table Setting.
Photographer: Kostaspagiamtzis

Manners International have some great tips, and we've borrowed a few to make you feel a bit more relaxed at your next dinner party. Please check out their site as it covers everything!

Q. After the completion of a formal dinner, where do you place your utensils?
A. Place the knife and fork parallel to one another across the plate with the knife blade facing inward toward the plate. Position the knife and fork in the position of ten o’clock to four o’clock.

Q. What direction should food be passed at the table?
A. Food should be passed to the right, or counter-clockwise.

Q. Should you dismiss yourself from the table if you need to sneeze or blow your nose?
A. Yes, excuse yourself from the table, and at no time should you use your napkin as a handkerchief.

Q. When dining out, is it okay to share your food with the others at the table for tasting purposes?
A. Yes, it is appropriate to share when others at the table are also willing to share. However, always request additional small plates and clean utensils for dividing the shared food.

Q. What is the correct way to butter bread or a roll?
A. When served bread or a roll on a bread/butter plate; break the bread with your fingers into pieces small enough for one or two bites; butter a pulled apart piece and then eat it. Do not butter the entire roll or piece of bread at one time.

Q. What is the correct way to serve yourself a portion of brie cheese? Do you just cut a piece from the soft part or try to cut off a portion including the hard skin?
A. Serve yourself an entire piece of cheese neatly and then you may cut away the crust on your own plate.

Q. What do you do when a salad has big pieces of lettuce? Can you cut them with your knife?
A. Years ago, when knife blades were still made of silver, you could not, as the vinegar harmed the blades. However, today, most knife blades are stainless steel and therefore, may be used to cut lettuce into smaller bites.

For more table etiquette tips, visit Manners International.

- LMS

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Labels: eventetiquette