EtiquetteEtiquetteChapter 19Chapter 19

Using the correct forks for the main Using the correct forks for the main course, salad, and dessert are all course, salad, and dessert are all actions that are part of table actions that are part of table etiquette.etiquette.

Table Etiquette consists of rules of Table Etiquette consists of rules of social conduct that are based on social conduct that are based on consideration and respect for others. consideration and respect for others. Table etiquette guidelines are meant Table etiquette guidelines are meant to put you at ease in social situations to put you at ease in social situations by helping you know how to act.by helping you know how to act.

An example might be a business An example might be a business lunch where an important deal is lunch where an important deal is finalized. People who order an finalized. People who order an entrée with confidence and treat entrée with confidence and treat servers with consideration show servers with consideration show good qualities for dealing with good qualities for dealing with larger matters.larger matters.

Here are a few basic skills Here are a few basic skills that will cover most dinning that will cover most dinning

situations:situations: Unfold your napkin on your lap before you Unfold your napkin on your lap before you

start eating.start eating. Sit up straight when you eat. Bring the Sit up straight when you eat. Bring the

food to your mouth, and avoid putting food to your mouth, and avoid putting your elbows on the tableyour elbows on the table

Dip the soup spoon away from you in the Dip the soup spoon away from you in the bowl. Do not slurp!bowl. Do not slurp!

If you cough or sneeze cover your mouth If you cough or sneeze cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief or a napkin and nose with a handkerchief or a napkin and turn away from the tableand turn away from the table

Cut each food in manageable pieces as Cut each food in manageable pieces as you eat it, rather than all at onceyou eat it, rather than all at once

You may reach for serving dishes as You may reach for serving dishes as long as you don’t have to lean across long as you don’t have to lean across your neighboryour neighbor

After stirring a beverage with a spoon, After stirring a beverage with a spoon, place the spoon on the saucerplace the spoon on the saucer

If you have trouble getting peas or other If you have trouble getting peas or other food onto your fork, push it with a piece food onto your fork, push it with a piece of bread or the tip of your dinner knifeof bread or the tip of your dinner knife

For removing an inedible part of food For removing an inedible part of food from the mouth, remove it as discreetly from the mouth, remove it as discreetly as possible. When you have finished as possible. When you have finished eating, place your fork and knife across eating, place your fork and knife across your plate, sided by side, pointing toward your plate, sided by side, pointing toward the centerthe center

Use a toothpick in privacyUse a toothpick in privacy Never comb your hair or apply makeup at Never comb your hair or apply makeup at

the tablethe table Wait for other to finish before leaving the Wait for other to finish before leaving the

table. Excuse yourself if you must leave.table. Excuse yourself if you must leave.

Respecting Cultural Respecting Cultural DifferencesDifferences

Table etiquette varies among cultures. Table etiquette varies among cultures. For example, in traditional Japanese For example, in traditional Japanese etiquette, slurping noodles show etiquette, slurping noodles show appreciation for the meal and in appreciation for the meal and in Indonesia a loud burp at the end of the Indonesia a loud burp at the end of the meal is a compliment to the cook. If meal is a compliment to the cook. If you were to investigate, you would see you were to investigate, you would see how rules for eating and serving food how rules for eating and serving food develop response to each culture’s develop response to each culture’s customs and heritage customs and heritage

Etiquette for GuestEtiquette for Guest

Being invited to a meal in someone’s Being invited to a meal in someone’s home is a privilege. Guest should home is a privilege. Guest should show their appreciation by acting show their appreciation by acting courteously. courteously.

Reply to the invitationReply to the invitation Politely mention any diet restrictionsPolitely mention any diet restrictions Arrive on timeArrive on time

Call if you are delayedCall if you are delayed Greet everyone once you have Greet everyone once you have

arrivedarrived If food is served buffet style, don’t If food is served buffet style, don’t

touch food unless you intend to eat ittouch food unless you intend to eat it If a dip is served, dip a piece of food If a dip is served, dip a piece of food

into the mixture just onceinto the mixture just once

Guidelines for a sit-down Guidelines for a sit-down meal:meal:

If there are six or fewer people at the table, If there are six or fewer people at the table, wait until everyone is served before you eat.wait until everyone is served before you eat.

If you you’re not sure how to eat a food or If you you’re not sure how to eat a food or which flatware to use, follow the lead of the which flatware to use, follow the lead of the hosthost

Try to eat at the same pace as your Try to eat at the same pace as your companionscompanions

If for any reason you cannot eat a food that If for any reason you cannot eat a food that is being passed at the table, don’t make an is being passed at the table, don’t make an issue of itissue of it

Before taking the last serving of a Before taking the last serving of a food, ask whether anyone else would food, ask whether anyone else would like itlike it

If you spill anything, mop it up If you spill anything, mop it up quickly with you napkinquickly with you napkin

Don’t feed the pets from the table.Don’t feed the pets from the table.

Restaurant EtiquetteRestaurant Etiquette

Sit Down RestaurantsSit Down Restaurants If you plan to go to a formal restaurant, If you plan to go to a formal restaurant,

it’s wise to make a reservation. This is it’s wise to make a reservation. This is an arrangement made ahead of time by an arrangement made ahead of time by telephone for a table at a restaurant.telephone for a table at a restaurant.

Make sure you understand the menu Make sure you understand the menu and what the meal consists of and how and what the meal consists of and how items are priced. A la carte means items are priced. A la carte means items are listed and priced individually.items are listed and priced individually.

Paying the CheckPaying the Check Once you have received your bill look over it Once you have received your bill look over it

carefully. When paying the bill it’s customary carefully. When paying the bill it’s customary to leave a tip, or gratuity. This is extra money to leave a tip, or gratuity. This is extra money given to the server in apperception for good given to the server in apperception for good services. A standard tip is 15% of the pretax services. A standard tip is 15% of the pretax bill, 18% if you request separate checks.bill, 18% if you request separate checks.

How much to tipHow much to tipFancyFancy 20%20%FamilyFamily 15% or more15% or moreCoffee ShopsCoffee Shops $.25 for Beverage only; if order $.25 for Beverage only; if order food 15% or at least $.50 whichever is higherfood 15% or at least $.50 whichever is higherFast-foodFast-food NoneNone

Fast-Food RestaurantsFast-Food Restaurants

Even in the informal setting of a Even in the informal setting of a fast-food restaurant, certain fast-food restaurant, certain manners are appreciated. manners are appreciated.

Complaints and Complaints and ComplimentsCompliments

It is not poor etiquette to complain to the It is not poor etiquette to complain to the staff about a poor restaurant experience. staff about a poor restaurant experience. Politely discussing a problem that you Politely discussing a problem that you had helps them to serve others better. had helps them to serve others better. Make complaints about the food to the Make complaints about the food to the server. Make complains about the server. Make complains about the service to the manger. service to the manger.

Be equally ready to express you Be equally ready to express you appreciation for both the serve rand appreciation for both the serve rand management of excellent food and management of excellent food and service.service.