Assorted Table Tips

I hope this week's topic has reminded you of some of those forgotten table manners and tips.  To finish up I've pulled some "assorted table tips" from Emily Post's Etiquette. Enjoy!

--Remember to make good use of that napkin in your lap!  Wiping your fingers as necessary and blotting your lips every so often

--If you can't seem to get a certain piece of food on your fork do NOT use your fingers to push it on to the tines.  Use a piece of bread or your knife as the pusher.

--If you use bread to sop up gravy or sauce, make the sure the bread is on the end of your fork and use your fork to eat the soaked bread--not your hands/fingers!

--When you are finished eating, do not push your plate away from you.  Also avoid saying things like "I'm stuffed" or "I'm done."

Coffee, Tea or Me?

Table manners extend to beverages too and today when so many meetings and social interactions take place over coffee and tea, I thought it might be good to look at specific etiquette tips associated with these yummy treats.

Four Don'ts:

1.  Your spoon should rest on the saucer or plate, do not leave it in the cup or mug

2.  Don't take ice from your water to cool a hot drink

3.  Don't dunk doughnuts, biscotti or anything else in your coffee, unless you are in a SUPER casual environment where that is the norm

4.  Don't crook your pinkie when drinking from your teacup, this went out of fashion in the Victorian age.

What Do I Do When...

We've all been out to dinner and wondered whether it was appropriate to pick up a dropped fork or what to tell the waiter when he tried to take your unfinished plate of food.  Enjoy this advice from Emily Post on what to do in these sticky situations!

"What Do I Do When..."

I've dropped something?  Don't pick up dropped utensil unless its impeding traffic or causing a problem.  Likewise your napkin can stay on the floor.  Just kindly ask your waiter to replace what has been dropped.

I have spinach in my teeth? Running your tongue over your teeth or being notified by discreetly by a table mate might bring this to your attention.  If you can wipe your teeth with your napkin unnoticed do so, if not excuse yourself.

I knock over my drink?  Immediately set the glass upright and apologize to everyone.  Do not try and scrounge around on the floor to get ice, etc.  Discreetly call the waiter for extra napkins to blot up the mess.

The waiter tries to whisk my plate away?  Don't hesitate to say "Oh, I haven't finished," even if he's on his way to the kitchen.  If you are done but don't want to rush the rest of the table, you can say "If you don't mind, please wait until everyone's finished before you clear the plates."

Dining and Entertaining

I thought we'd get back to basics this week and take a look at some good old fashioned table manners.  Particularly if you have a Valentine's date coming up, it is always nice to make a good impression at the dinner table, whether your out and about or in someone's home.  Having good table manners allows everyone to focus on the meal and conversation rather than the distractions of someone's poor table manners. Let's review some examples of a table setting:

If you are ever overwhelmed by your place setting, remember that when it comes to utensils, you always work from the outside in.  There is never more than three of any element (unless there's an oyster fork, making 4 forks in a formal setting) and the cutting edge of the knife always faces in toward the plate.

(content via Etiquette by Emily Post 17th ed. and photo credit)

Should you salt your food before tasting it?

No, salting your food before tasting it is an insult to the chef.

Apparently it's just like saying "your food isn't seasoned enough for me."

This is a bad habit of mine that I need to break,

I always assume that the food isn't salted enough...terrible.

Also, when someone at the table says "Could you please pass the salt?" make sure to pass the salt and pepper together. Think of them as a unit, one doesn't go without the other!

Table Setting Guide

When your are hosting a dinner party it is imperative to get the table setting right! It is so easy to swap the bread plate and the drink when setting the table. Here is an easy quick tip on how to remember which side is which.

Tip:
Put your hands out in front of you and use your thumb and your pointer finger on both hands to make a lowercase "b" with your left hand ("B" for bread - bread goes on your left) and a lowercase "d" with your right hand ("D" for drink- drink goes on your right). How easy is that?!

from Emily Post:

Q's and A's

Q. Is it polite to stack your dishes on the table after you are through eating at a restaurant?

A. No, it is not polite to stack your dishes on table after eating at a restaurant or at home.

Via Emily Post

Dining Don'ts

Dining Don't from The Little Book of Etiquette:

1. Don't over load your plate

2. Don't EVER put your knife in your mouth

3. Don't mop your face with your napkin

4. Don't spread your elbows out when cutting meat

5. Don't chew with your mouth open

6. Don't smack your lips

7. Don't touch your head to the table

8. Don't saw back and forth when cutting your food

9. Don't blow on food that is hot, wait till it cools.

10. Don't reach across the table

Dining Do's

Dining Do's from The Little Book of Etiquette.

1. Do try a little of everything that is served on your plate (unless you are allergic)

2. Do avoid talking with your mouth full

3. Do wait till you have swallowed your food to take a sip of your beverage

4. Do remember your posture when seated

5. Do look into not over your glass when drinking

Table Manners for Kids..

Here are 12 easy tips to keep you kids minding their manners!

1. Eat with a fork unless the food is meant to be eaten with fingers. Only babies eat with fingers.

2. Don't stuff your mouth full of food, it looks gross, and you could choke.

3. Chew with your mouth closed. No one wants to be grossed out seeing food being chewed up or hearing it being chomped on. This includes no talking with your mouth full.

4. Don't make any rude comments about any food being served. It will hurt some one's feelings.

5. Always say thank you when served something. Shows appreciation.

6. If the meal is not buffet style, then wait until everyone is served before eating. It shows consideration.

7. Eat slowly and don't gobble up the food. Someone took a long time to prepare the food, enjoy it slowly. Slowly means to wait about 5 seconds after swallowing before getting another forkful.

8. When eating rolls, break off a piece of bread before buttering. Eating a whole piece of bread looks tacky.

9. Don't reach over some one's plate for something. Politely ask that the item to be passed to you. Shows consideration.

10. Do not pick anything out of your teeth, it's gross. If it bothers you that bad, excuse yourself and go to the restroom to pick.

11. Always use a napkin to dab your mouth, which should be on your lap when not in use. Remember, dab your mouth only. Do not wipe your face or blow your nose with a napkin, both are gross. Excuse yourself from the table and go the restroom to do those things.

12. When eating at some one's home or a guest of someone at a restaurant, always thank the host and tell them it was delicious even if it wasn't, or at least say that you liked the dinner, and mention a specific item that was particularly tasty, i.e. the dessert was great. Again, someone took time, energy, and expense to prepare the food, so show your appreciation.

Article via Dr. Dave & Dr. Dee

Elevator Etiquette

"Your already stuck in a small box, don't make things worse!"

ELEVATOR ETIQUETTE

...

If you end up standing right near the buttons, people expect you to be the
conductor. Remember in the good old days when people use to work as elevator
operators? This is you now! Look at it this way – you can help others to where
they need to go. Put a smile on people’s faces and spread the courtesy.

If you see a person running towards the elevator, make sure to hold the
door open for them. I’m sure they would do the same for you.

If you don’t want to hold the door for whatever reason, try not to look at
the person. Having earphones with you will help even more, since this will let
you become “deaf” for a few seconds, even if you are just wearing them.

If you notice that a courier or someone with a large freight want to get in
the elevator or is already there when you’re getting on, make sure to move to
either side wall, so they can get out easily. Most of the time, they tend to
stand in the middle of the elevator, for easier access to exit.

If you have a cold, make sure to cover your mouth and nose, even if you
don’t have a tissue. No one wants you to report the weather. That’s what The Weather Network
is for.

So the next time you get in an elevator, keep these points in mind. You
will make your day and everyone else’s a better one.
(Article via: Professional Assistant)

Any one have a bad experience...?!? Do tell!!!!

Top Ten Table Manners

I stumbled across this top ten list today and thought Lizzy had some great ideas so I thought I would share the love!!

1. Chew with your mouth shut.
2. Avoid slurping, smacking, blowing your nose, or other gross noises. (If necessary, excuse yourself to take care of whatever it is you need to take care of.)
3. Don’t use your utensils like a shovel or as if you’ve just stabbed the food you’re about to eat.
4. Don’t pick your teeth at the table.
5. Remember to use your napkin at all times.
6. Wait until you’re done chewing to sip or swallow a drink. (The exception is if you’re choking.)
7. Cut only one piece of food at a time.
8. Avoid slouching and don’t place your elbows on the table while eating (though it is okay to prop your elbows on the table while conversing between courses.)
9. Instead of reaching across the table for something, ask for it to be passed to you.
10. Always say ‘excuse me’ whenever you leave the table.