• The fork is held in your left hand and the knife is held in your right when used at the same time (except for the left-handed, who may prefer to hold the knife in their left hand and the fork in their right).
• You should hold your knife with the handle in your palm and your fork in the other hand with the prongs pointing downwards.
• If you’re eating a dessert, your fork (if you have one) should be held in the left hand and the spoon in the right.
• When eating soup, you should hold your spoon in your right hand and tip the bowl away from you, scooping the soup in movements away from yourself.
• It is not acceptable to use your fingers at the table to eat or push food onto your fork. You may, however, eat some foods such as fruit, sandwiches, burgers, crisps, chips or pizza with your fingers; and fingers are mandatory for eating some items, such as asparagus or gulls' eggs.
• If there are a number of knives or forks, then you should start from the outside set working your way in as each course is served.
• Drinks should always be to the right of your plate with the bread roll to the left.
• When eating bread rolls, break off a piece before buttering. Use your knife only to butter the bread, not to cut it.
• You should not start eating before your host does or instructs you to do so. At larger meals, it is acceptable to start eating once others have been served.
• When you’re finished, place your knife and fork together at six o’clock with your fork on the left (tines facing up) and knife on the right, with the knife blade facing in. This signals that you are finished.
• Alternatively, when finished, your knife and fork can be placed diagonally at the ten o'clock and two o'clock position, crossed (tines facing down). This signals that you are finished and the plate may be taken away.
• Your napkin should never be screwed up. Nor should it be folded neatly as that would suggest that your host might plan to use it again without washing it - just leave it neatly but loosely.
• Never blow your nose on your napkin. Place it on your lap and use it to dab your mouth if you make a mess.
• It is considered rude to answer the telephone at the table. If you need to take an urgent call, excuse yourself and go outside.
• Always ask for permission from the host and excuse yourself if you need to leave the table. You should place your napkin on your seat until you return.
• If you must leave the table or are resting, your fork should be at eight o’clock and your knife at four o’clock (with the blade inwards). Once an item of cutlery has been used, it should not touch the table again.
• The food should be brought to your mouth on the back of the fork; you should sit straight and not lean towards your plate.
• Dishes should be served from the right, and taken away from the right. Unless the food is placed on your plate at the table, then it should arrive from the left.
• Drinks should be served from the right.
• Never lean across somebody else’s plate. If you need something to be passed, ask the person closest to it. If you have to pass something, only pass it if you are closest to it and pass it directly to them if you can.
• Salt & pepper should be passed together.
• Do not take food from a neighbour’s plate and don’t ask to do so.
• You must not put your elbows on the table.
• If pouring a drink for yourself, offer to pour a drink for your neighbours before serving yourself.
• If extra food is on the table, ask others first if they would like it before taking it yourself.
• When chewing food, close your mouth and only talk when you have swallowed it.
• Swallow all food before eating more or having a drink.
• Do not slurp your food or eat loudly.
• Never pick food out of your teeth with your fingernails.
• Try to eat all the food you are served.
• Wine glasses should be held by the stem in the case of white wines, and by cupping the bowl in the case of red wines
• If Port is served after the meal, then the decanter or bottle should be passed to the person on your left and never passed to the right.
• Always remember “regular” manners. Remember to say "please" and "thank you".
• Never transfer food to your mouth with your knife.

• Both hands must be above the table at the same time. They cannot be below the table even if they are together. This rule comes from medieval times, when the king feared assassination. The action of putting your hands below the table was interpreted as an attempt to grab your dagger and assassinate the king.[citation needed]
• Remember to always say please and thank you
• If you've served your own portion, it is considered good manners to finish everything on your plate before asking for more.
• Do not put ice in your wine. At restaurants, wine is served at the temperature at which it is meant to be enjoyed.
• After you have finished eating, place the cutlery parallel together, vertically at the center of your plate so the waiter will know to take away your plate.
• While you are still eating your meal, place the cutlery to the sides of your plate at 4:00 and 8:00, opposite sides of the plate, signifying to the waiter that you wish to keep your plate.
• To communicate that you want more wine, simply finish your glass, but to signify that you have had enough to drink, leave some wine in your glass.
• When dining at another's residence, do not use salt or pepper. This is an insult to the person who cooked the meal and is interpreted as "You did not get it right."

• It is polite to leave a bit of food at the end of the meal to show the host that their hospitality was plentiful and appreciated. In addition, the host will often urge the guests for second helpings of food.
• It is improper to look into another's plate or saucer.
• Remember to say "Thanks, everything was very tasty" to the one who made the dish upon leaving the table.
• Small food should not be cut.
• No elbows on the table.
• No unpleasant noises.
• In general, one should not be stuffy or overly ceremonial. Especially if the meal is in someone's home, conviviality and relaxation outrank propriety. A guest is expected to contribute to the fun of the party.
• Don't talk while eating.

Write comment
Name:
Email:	do not notifynotify
Website:
Title:
	Please input the anti-spam code that you can read in the image.

3.26 Copyright (C) 2008 Compojoom.com / Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."