Tuesday, June 11, 2013

A Wide Range Of 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.

It is not unusual to come across unfamiliar food during dinner. It could be the main course, appetizer or the dessert. In either case, one may not know how to eat the given food. There are three options available at such times. Waiting until one person starts to eat and following suit is an option. It also would not harm to ask how the food is eaten, from someone that is conversant with it. The last option is to avoid the food altogether.

The essence of dinner etiquette is unobtrusiveness; never interfering with others at the table. Eating quietly is one way to ensure this. Practices such as chewing loudly and scraping plates have to be avoided. Noise impedes conversation. Obviously, one should preferably talk when there is little or no food in their mouth.

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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