Transcript Dressing for Success - Texas Christian University
ETIQUETTE
Dining Etiquette
Table manners play an important part in making a favorable impression
Visible signs of the state of our manners
Essential to our professional success
Ordering
After looking over the menu
Ask your server if you have questions
How a dish is prepared
If it contains ingredients you may be allergic to
An employer may suggest your order be taken first
Often, women’s orders are taken before men’s
ORDERING FOOD
Menu Do’s
Food favorites; no experimenting Easy to cut meats Salads Middle-priced
Menu Don’ts
Spaghetti and other pastas Corn on the cob Peas and other hyperactive food Chicken with bones Ribs Shellfish Most expensive Least expensive
Dining Etiquette
Thanks to
Ball State
University’s website
This is a standard dinner place setting
“Reading” the Table Setting
Draw an imaginary line through the center of the serving plate
To the right
Glassware, cups, saucer, knives and spoons (Seafood fork)
To the left
Bread and butter plate (including a small butter knife across the top), salad plate, napkin and forks “Liquids on your Right” “Solids on your Left”
Use of Silverware
Work from the outside in
Salad fork is on the outmost left, followed by the dinner fork
Soupspoon is on the outmost right, followed by the salad knife and dinner knife
Dessert spoon and fork are above your plate or brought out with dessert
Use of Silverware
Work from the outside in
Salad fork is on the outmost left, followed by the dinner fork
Soupspoon is on the outmost right, followed by the salad knife and dinner knife
Dessert spoon and fork are above your plate or brought out with dessert
Use of Silverware
Work from the outside in
Salad fork is on the outmost left, followed by the dinner fork
Soupspoon is on the outmost right, followed by the salad knife and dinner knife
Dessert spoon and fork are above your plate or brought out with dessert
Use of Silverware
American style
Hold knife in right hand
Fork in left hand with fork tines piercing the food to hold it in place
Cut a few pieces
Lay knife across top edge of plate sharp edge facing in
Change fork (tines up) to right to eat
Use of Silverware
European (Continental style)
Hold knife in right hand
Fork in left hand with fork tines piercing the food to hold it in place
Cut a piece and keeping fork (tines down) in left hand eat cut piece
Use of Silverware
When you have finished
Do not push your plate away
Lay fork (tines down) and knife sharp side facing inward) diagonally across your plate Once you have used a piece of silverware, never place it back on the table Do not leave a used spoon in a cup; place it on the saucer Unused silverware is left on the table
Table Manners – ABC’s
A.
When first being seated at the table, do not touch anything until everyone arrives
You can see what you will be eating/drinking by the “layout of the table”
Watch the host/hostess for cues and follow their lead (napkin, eating, etc.)
Only start to eat once everyone has been served and when the host/hostess starts to eat
Table Manners – ABC’s
B.
Remember to start with your utensils from the “outside in” (farthest away from center plate)
When you are not eating, keep your hands on your lap or resting on the table (with wrists on edge)
Keep salt and pepper together…they are MARRIED!
Do not season your food before tasting it
Table Manners – ABC’s
C.
Eat rolls or bread by tearing off a small bite sized pieces and buttering only the piece you are preparing to eat
Tea packets, where do they go? To the right, underneath of your coffee saucer (and only tear ¾ across)
If you don’t like a piece of food that is in your mouth, you have two options:
Finish what you are chewing and swallow it Remove it from your mouth by how it entered (i.e. if brought in by fork, remove by fork) and put it back on your plate – do not remove it into your napkin!
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10 COMMON DINING FAUX PAS
Napkin on lap before everyone is seated Blowing or stirring soup Eating ice cubes Eating before everyone is served Breaking dinner roll in half rather than tearing a bite-size piece
FAUX PAS (CONT.)
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Talking with food in your mouth; chewing with mouth open Eating a larger than bite-size piece of food Blowing your nose at table Pushing your plate away Stacking dishes
Table Manners – Of Course !!
It is inappropriate to ask for a doggy bag when you are a guest
Finger foods can be messy and are best left for informal dining
Do not order alcoholic beverages
Do not smoke while dining out
Sit up straight at the table
Table Manners – Of Course !!
Do not ‘slurp’ soup from a spoon
If food gets caught between your teeth and you can’t remove it with your tongue, leave the table and go to a mirror where you can remove the food in private
Engage in pleasant conversation that is entirely free of controversial subjects
You should never leave the table during the meal except in an emergency
Napkin Etiquette:
Keep it in your lap throughout the meal
If you must get up from the table, place your napkin on your chair (and push your chair in)
Once the meal is finished, watch the host/hostess as to when you place your napkin to the left of your plate
“Table Talk”
Do not talk across the table
Keep conversation to the person to your right and left
Short conversations about current events, hobbies, interests, entertainment
Avoid controversial topics such as politics, religion, health related issues
Reminders…
Ladies, place your handbags underneath your chairs so they do not interfere with the wait-staff
The wait-staff should serve from the left and take from the right
If you drop your utensil, ask the wait-staff for another
RECEPTIONS - HORS D’OUEVRES
No Alcohol!
Leave your friend at the door
Name badges are always worn on the right side
Absolutely no alcohol!
Hold glass in left hand to allow right hand to be free for introductions
Do not load plate with food
Do not put toothpicks back on platter
Do not gather at the food table
No Alcoholic beverages…….AT ALL!!!
Rules of Introduction
Stand Up
Smile
Always shake hands
Make eye contact
Repeat other person’s name
Forgotten Names
If unable to remember someone’s name, o.k. to say, “Please tell me your name again”
If someone has a difficult name ask them to pronounce it again
Business Cards
Read
Receive
Acknowledge
Friendly Reminders…
Remember if you are attending a dinner at someone’s home; bring them a “small token of your appreciation” (bottle of wine – if you are of age, flowers, box of candy, etc.)
Remember to send a THANK YOU note to your host/hostess within two days