Whether you’re invited to a fancy dinner and you want to maintain pleasant and sociable habits, establishing table etiquette is critical if you or your family want to be a good dining companion. let’s dive in!
Why You Should Follow Table Manners and Etiquette
Before we head on to the list of manners you should consider while inviting to dinner, you should know why following them is critical.
For instance, table manners like coming to the table with clean hands ensure a more hygienic environment for everyone at the table.
Also, showing up in time and arranging your utensils help in organizing the space on the table properly so that nobody is getting in the way of anyone.
Moreover, the majority of etiquette tips and table manners help everyone on the table avoid customs that might be annoying or unpleasant to others.
List of Simple But Vital Table Manners to Follow
In the following list, we’ll provide you with some essential but easy to follow table manners to ensure a lovely dinner.
To make things easier and more streamlined for you, the list walks you through various table manners arranged in the right order.
Keep in mind that the vast majority of these table manners apply to everyone at the table, whether you’re the host or a guest. Let’s check them out!
1. Showing Up at the Dining Table
Table manners and dining etiquette starts as early as you’re about to approach the dining table for your meal.
The first and simplest table manner to follow is to never be late to the table. Make sure that you organize your time so that you arrive early enough to show at the table. This shows respect to hosts as well as other guests.
You can also bring a nice gift with you as a sign of appreciation for the invitation. Basic hygiene manners are also essential as you approach the table.
This includes having clean hands and face, which reduces the risk of infections for everyone at the table greatly according to tons of studies.
Additionally, remember to arrive in an orderly fashion. Your hair and clothing should be neat and convenient for you and others. While it’s not recommended to apply fragrances heavily, you should still be smelling fresh.
Unless you’re invited to sit anywhere you like, always politely ask the host where you should sit. If you’re the host, you should always make it easier for the guests by politely inviting them to sit in their designated spot.
The first thing you should do as you sit in your chair is removing the napkin from the table and placing it across your lap.
Lastly, it’s a common show of respect to begin eating once the hosts invite you to start eating unless the hosts invite you to eat without them.
2. Sitting Properly at the Table and Getting Ready for Food
Sitting in a good posture is one of the most important table manners while getting ready for eating.
Use a good back posture by sitting up straight on your chair with relaxed shoulders and keeping your feet flat on the floor.
Keep your ankles in front of your knees level and avoid crossing or curling them together or to the back.
Ideally, you should rest your hand across your lap when you’re not using it. It’s also perfectly okay to rest your forearms on the edge of the table.
However, you should always keep your elbows off the table, so you don’t tip the table, especially if the diners are seated at one side only.
Your smartphone should also be off the table and set to silent throughout the meal. The main focus of the dinner should be on the conversation rather than the phone.
If you’re expecting an important call, make sure that you politely excuse yourself off the table and take the call in another room, then return as soon as possible.
3. Choosing Your Portion Size
An important but often overlooked table manner is choosing your food portions properly. Once again, the people and the conversation should be the main focus of the night and not the food.
After all, you’re definitely not the only one at the table. Not only that, but you’re supposed to finish your plate, even if you find the food unpalatable.
It’s one of the most well-established table manners and a sign of compliment to the chef and the hosts.
For all these reasons, taking a small to a moderate portion of food is always a good idea, as it saves you the awkwardness of having to finish a plate that you don’t fancy as much. As you can see, food manners are made to help you through such situations too!
Of course, portions of food also includes your bites. Always make sure that you eat in small bites, because it makes you look more natural, saves you the hassle of heavy (and loud) chewing, and helps you speak easier without annoying other guests.
4. Eating Your Meal Properly
Now that the food is served and you’re eating, you should make sure that you’re eating food the right way.
Always use your utensils properly while eating and avoid eating food with your hand unless it’s a finger food like burgers, french fries, and similar foods.
Eating bread is also heavily overlooked. Ideally, you should first take a slice of butter and transfer it to your butter plate.
After that, you should tear the bread first into small pieces and butter each piece separately and not just butter the entire bread all at once.
The act of transferring butter into your plate isn’t just a dining etiquette but it’s also a sanitary behavior that prevents double-dipping.
This also applies if you’re dining in a country where you don’t butter the bread. Instead, you’ll use the sliced pieces to enjoy the sauces prepared.
Never mention negative remarks about the meal. Besides being unnecessary, it’s also rude to hosts as well as other guests who enjoyed the meal.
With an exception to choking, make sure that you don’t sip a drink until you’re done chewing and swallowing the food.
5. Mind Your Conversations at the Dining Table
Although it depends on the table manner traditions in the country you’re dining in, in most cultures, taking part in dinner conversations is often encouraged.
Taking small bites will benefit you greatly during dining table conversations. Although conversations are the main highlight of the evening, nobody likes to see chewed food in a mouth, which is why you should always chew with our mouth closed.
If someone is expecting you to reply to a statement or question while you’re chewing the food, Simply signal that you’ve heard them by raising a finger and wait until you’ve done chewing and swallowing the food.
Remember to keep the conversation friendly and pleasant, so avoid discussing unappetizing topics that can cause others to lose their appetite.
Avoid interrupting others unless there’s an absolute emergency for it, which is actually a good thing because it gives you time to balance between conversing and eating.
It goes without saying that you should avoid disruptive behaviors at the table, such as burping, picking your teeth, or laughing so loud.
6. Interacting with Others on the Table
Conversations aren’t the only form of interaction you’ll have to do with other people at the dining table. During dinner, there might be some food passing and condiment exchanging during the meal.
If the food you want to eat isn’t directly in front of you, don’t reach across other people to get it. Instead, you should politely ask them to pass it to you rather than stretching. It goes without saying to use “please” and “thank you” for that.
If you’re asked to pass food to someone else, pass it from the left to the right, this ensures that plates are transferred in an orderly fashion even if there are multiple plates to be passed at once.
If you’re asked to pass salt or pepper, you should always pass both of them together. This will also make it easier for anyone else to find both shakers and eliminates awkward searching over the table.
If you also want the food or condiment passed during the meal, wait until the first person to request is finished then request it being passed to you. Never partake in someone else’s turn even if the food is being passed to you on its way.
7. Finishing the Meal and After the Dinner
After you finish your meal, make sure that you thank the host again for the meal with compliments about what you enjoyed. If you didn’t particularly enjoy the meal, simply say that you loved it.
You should remain seated as long as others are still eating, even if you’re done. If you have to get up, excuse yourself politely from the table.
Lastly, as the host is clearing the table, always make sure that you offer help with the table clearing tasks.
Wrap Up
At first glance, table manners might seem a bit confusing. However, if you look at the full picture, you’ll notice that most table manners are there to ensure that everyone at the dining table enjoys mealtime.
So, by following them, you ensure that you’re paying respect to the host as well as other guests invited over for the meal.
