[Namron] Dining etiquette

[KATHRYN GORDON]

For those that have been asking me here a few pointers.  First impressions have an important place in various walks of life and they go a long way in creating an everlasting impression about your personality. The right etiquette can help you in your professional and personal life as well. Making a powerful impression about yourself can help you get the most desirable jobs and also earn you respect in the society. After all, how many of us would want to deal with ill-mannered people? If you are a keen observer of people around you, you will notice that certain people have a way of getting around others by displaying good manners and behavioral patterns. Business etiquette is really as important as dining etiquette and these can make a world of a difference to your life. Most often, professionals often leave their dining etiquette way back in the school days.

While it is very important for children to learn good manners, they may not always see the point of it, especially when it comes to good table manners. For kids, these rules during meal times may often just seem like a way to make it difficult for them to enjoy a good meal. While trying to teach your child table manners and etiquette, it is best to make him/her first understand why they are important, and then help them put these rules into practice. Tell them that while eating in the company of others, it is important to take their feelings into consideration, and not do anything that will make it difficult for others to enjoy their meal. Good table manners will also help one avoid potentially embarrassing situations.

Table Manners and Etiquette

Here are some basic table manners
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If your child is offered hors d'oeuvres, teach him/her to just take one and say thank you, or alternately say 'no thank you' if it doesn't look particularly appetizing. If they do take one and don't like it, teach them it is not polite to offer any less than complimentary opinions about how it looks, smells, or tastes. 
 Tell your child that while seated at the dining table, an upright posture must be assumed and hunching reflects badly. The wrists and forearms (not elbows) may rest on the table or alternately they can just keep their hands in their lap while not eating. 

 Teach your child about how a dinner napkin must be used. It must be opened out and placed on the lap, and used to wipe the fingers and mouth at the end of the meal. While moving away from the table once the meal is over, your child should place the used napkin besides his/her plate, without folding it. 

 Tell your child that cutlery is meant to be used, not fingers. 
 
Teach your child how to use a fork, spoon and knife. Give them a general idea of what goes to the left, right and above the plate. Explain that they have to start with the utensils on the outside, and without going into details, you can cover few basic items, such as which is the fruit or fish fork. 

 While seated at the dining table, teach them that they must follow the lead of the host, or the person in whose honor the dinner is organized. After everyone is served, they must begin eating when the person in question does, try to keep the same pace, and only close their plate when everyone finishes eating. 

 It is very important to teach your children not to gobble down food, or fill their mouths with it.
 
Teach them to take small portions of food in their fork/spoon, chew it with their mouths closed, and swallow before the next morsel goes in. Remind them never to talk when their mouth has food in it. 

 At a dinner with family/friends, teach your child that their sole focus must not be the food. It is important to make conversation with the people sitting to the left and right of them. If your child is shy or an introvert, you can always prepare him/her with a few simple conversation subjects. The idea is not to have a grand conversation, but just to be polite. 

 Teach your kids how to politely ask for things to be passed to them, and not reach over people's plates/glasses to get what they want. When the meal is over, always remind them to thank the host for the lovely meal, and mentioned that they enjoyed the food.
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If you help your child master these table manners for kids, you will have no worries the next time you are out at a family dinner, fancy restaurant, or wedding reception. You can enjoy your meals, and be safe in the knowledge that your child's table manners will only reflect good parenting. One last pointer, teach your sons how to hold out dinner chairs for the girls and ladies.
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It may sound old-fashioned to some but remember that men have to be a little ahead of the women when they are going towards the dining table. They should stand till the host or the hostess finishes the announcements and sits down. 

The napkin is another important part about dining etiquette and I have often seen people struggling with the same. Unfold the napkin only when everyone is seated at the dining table and place it on the lap. This has to be unfolded either in the shape of a large triangle or in the shape of a rectangle. Your napkin is not a substitute for tissue; you can always ask for a separate tissue paper if you feel the need to do so. 

Talking with food in your mouth is the first mistake you would commit at the dining table. Dining etiquette needs to be maintained as talking too much at dinnertime can be a real turn off for many. 

When you are at the dining table, you must know the order of the food and the crockery that is placed to be able to maintain the dining etiquette. Solid food is always placed on the left and any form of liquid is placed on the right. The largest plate is the dinner plate, a medium-sized plate would be your salad plate and a small-sized plate would be your bread plate. The glass of wine or water will be placed on the right side. Begin using the spoons and forks from the outside area and towards the inside of the plate. 

Use the knife to butter the bread. Take some amount of butter in your plate and use the butter knife to spread the butter. 
When soup is served to you, it may at times be really too hot to be consumed. Even then, blowing on the hot soup is not the right kind of dining etiquette one would expect from a professional! 

Sometimes the salad may contain huge leaves that may be a little cumbersome to eat. In that case use your salad fork to cut them into smaller pieces. 

Order something that is easy to eat if you wish to avoid drawing attention to yourself! This will be particularly helpful if your employer gives the dinner party. 

Always remember to maintain a correct posture at the dining table. Remember one important thing about dining etiquette; do not rush to grab food in front of a person.

If you notice that some wine has also been served then pick up the glass by holding the stem of the glass. You need to use your thumb and the first two fingers for this. 

When you use the knife to cut small pieces of food, cut only 2 to 3 pieces at a time. Eat only few pieces at a time as well. 

When it's time to use the finger bowl, dip the fingers of only one hand at first. Use the napkin on your lap to dry them. 

Dining etiquette is not really as difficult as it may seem to be. You may find it difficult to adjust in the beginning but remember that all it takes is a little bit of thinking and consideration from your side to be able to present yourself in the best manner possible.
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