dining etiquette
DESCRIPTION
How to dine with etiquette, especially during a business meeting/ dinner.TRANSCRIPT
Dining Etiquette
JONATHAN JAMESNIKKI KARABINIS
STUDENT CAREER DEVELOPMENT
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnydFmqHuVo
First impressions mean everything!
First Impressions Mean Everything
You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Many people were never taught the fundamentals of dining etiquette. ….which way should I pass? …which fork is mine? …what do I do with my napkin?
Meals can be used to observe your behavior in social settings to see how you conduct yourself, particularly if the job for which you are interviewing requires a certain standard of conduct with clients and superiors. Remember, the meal is an extension of the interview so put your best foot forward.
When You Arrive to the Table
If you are given a name tag, it should be placed on the right side of your front shoulder area.
When meeting someone… …rise if you are seated. …smile and extend your hand. …repeat the other person’s name in your greeting.
Do not place any bags, purses, sunglasses, cell phones, or briefcases on the table.
The meal begins when the host or hostess unfolds his or her napkin. This is your signal to do the same. Place your napkin on your lap, completely unfolded if it is a small luncheon napkin or in half, lengthwise, if it is a large dinner napkin. Do not shake it open.
Bread and rolls should be broken with your fingers, in small pieces and buttered one piece at a time.
Napkins
The napkin rests on the lap until the end of the meal. Don't clean the cutlery or wipe your
face with the napkin. Use it to dab the corners of your mouth.
NEVER use it to blow your nose!
If you need to excuse yourself from the table, loosely fold the napkin and place it to the left of your plate. Do not refold your napkin or wad it up on the table.
At the end of the meal, leave the napkin semi-folded at the left side of the place setting. It should not be crumpled or twisted.
Formal Table Setting
Silverware
A formal table setting can be overwhelming, but don’t panic!
Keep utensils in the same order they appear on the table. Do not rearrange utensils to accommodate yourself!
If a piece of silverware drops, leave it and ask for a replacement from your server.
Silverware should not touch the tablecloth once used.
Place knife at the top of the dinner plate, facing in, after use.
When you are finished, place your knife and fork in the center of your plate.
Using Your Silverware
When using the fork and knife to cut your food, cut the food by holding the knife in the right hand and the fork in the left hand with the fork tines piercing the food to secure it on the plate.
Cut only enough food for the next mouthful, then lay your knife across the top edge of your plate with the sharp edge of the blade facing in. Change your fork from your left to your right hand to eat, fork tines facing up.
If you are left-handed, keep your fork in your left hand, tines facing up.
During the Meal
Wait until everyone is seated before eating and/or until your host takes their first bite.
When dining with others, everyone should start and finish at the same time. If you are a fast eater try to pace yourself. You could make the others feel uncomfortable if you finish before they do.
Take small bites, keep your mouth closed and finish chewing before continuing your conversation.
Try not to gulp your food, it isn't very attractive.
Posture
Sit up straight and try not to lean on the table.
Keep your elbows off the table and close to the body when you are eating.
Passing and Sharing
Overcoming Challenges
Be discrete if you have problem with the food.
Excuse yourself, if you have to leave the table.
Turn your head from the table when you cough or sneeze.
If someone uses your bread plate as their own do not inform them of their mistake, simply use your dinner plate. Do not use the bread plate on your right as a replacement.
When You’re Finished…
Don’t push your plate away from you or stack them up.
To signal that your are done with the course, rest your fork, tines up, and knife blade in, with the handles resting at five o'clock and tips pointing to ten o'clock on your plate
General Tips
Be punctual!Keep up-to-date on current events in your
industry so you can have appropriate conversations.
Remember, the meal is part of the interview!Pass food from the left to the right.You can never say please and thank you enough,
especially to the wait staff. No interceptions! Snagging a roll out of the
breadbasket or taking a shake of salt when it is en route to someone else is a no-no.
General Tips
Butter, spreads, or dips should be transferred from the serving dish to your plate before spreading or eating.
Never turn a wine glass upside down to decline wine. It is more polite to let the wine be poured and not draw attention. Otherwise, hold your hand over the wine glass to signal that you don't want any wine
Do not automatically salt and pepper your food. Taste your food before seasoning it.
Do not blow on your food to cool it off. If it is too hot to eat, take the hint and wait.
Keep elbows off the table and keep your left hand in your lap unless you are using it.
General Tips
Do not talk with your mouth full and chew with your mouth closed.
Eat in small bites and slowly.
Do not bring your cell phone!
Do not use a toothpick or apply makeup at the table.
Specific Food Etiquette
Berries Generally, eat berries with a spoon, whether they have cream on them or not.
Bread Break slices of bread, rolls and muffins in half or in small pieces never larger than one bite.
Butter each bite at a time. Small biscuits do not have to be broken. Never cut a roll with a knife.
Clams and oysters in the half shell Hold the shell with the left hand and lift the clam out using your oyster fork.
Crab, shrimp and lobster cocktails These are eaten with a cocktail fork.
Fried Fantail Shrimp Picked up by the tail and eaten with the fingers.
Pasta or Spaghetti The perfect method for eating spaghetti or other long stringy pasta is to twirl it around your
fork. Use a spoon to help if needed. It is also acceptable to cut pasta with a knife and fork.
Potatoes If not already slit, cut across the top with a knife, open the potato wider with your fork, and add
butter or sour cream and chives, salt, and pepper. You may eat the skin as you go along. Don't take the insides out and put the skin aside (or take the foil off).
Practice Makes Perfect!
Practice the information presented at home and the next time you go out to eat. The more you practice the more comfortable you’ll be in professional dining settings.
References
Benet Business Networkhttp://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1365/is_1_35/ai_n6148221
Bremer, Jill, AICI, CIP, Dining Etiquette for the Fast-food Generation,www.bremercommunications.com/Dining_Etiquette.htm
Dinning Etiquette Guide: Restaurant and Dinner Party Manners and Etiquettehttp://whatscookingamerica.net/Menu/DiningEtiquetteGuide.htm
Contact
Nikki Karabinis [email protected]
Jonathan James [email protected]
Peer Career [email protected]