Dining Etiquette at Home
Dinner Party Etiquette
If you are anything like me, you love a dinner party. This could either be hosted in your own home or you are invited to the home of a friend or family. One of the best aspects is the food, drinks ( Cocktails and wine of course) as well as endless laughter with your hosts/ guests.
With dinner parties, there are a few points to consider in terms of etiquette whether you are a guest of hosting in your home. Below are some tips and points to consider to make you the hostess with the most or guarantee another invite in future!
As a Host:
Look at the menu and make sure it is appropriate for all who are coming. Have you considered the dietary requirements of all the guests.
Look at the area your guests will be sat at and pay close attention to who sits where. Make sure to have glassware, cutlery and crockery that compliments the meal you will share. If need be, place all cutlery and crockery down beforehand to test your place setting.
Finish cooking in good time to freshen up!
Clear up all areas and double check for things like toilet tissue and the cleanliness in the bathrooms- A vanity with things like hand cream and perfume are a great touch for the bathroom vanity for guests to use.
If you or someone you are dining with is left-handed, it is best for the left-handed person to sit at the left end of the table or at the head of the table. This makes sure that everyone has enough elbowroom to eat comfortably.
Ettiquette as a guest
RSVP on time and if you have any dietary requirements, let your host know as soon as possible
Bring a gift- this could be a bottle or flowers depending on what you feel most comfortable with.
Arrive on Time! If running late, let your host know ahead of time or if in traffic a simple text message or call would be good to let them know of your ETA.
If you are someone’s guest, wait to sit until you receive a signal.
Sit up straight at the table.
During the Meal:
Wait for your host to begin to eat. If you are at a table of 8 to 10 being served by waiters, wait to eat until all at the table have been served.
Offer to the person on your left and pass everything to the right.
Pass the salt and pepper together. Also, do not season your food before you have tasted it.
Used silverware should never touch the table; rather, they should rest on your plate.
When you are not eating, keep your hands on your lap or resting on the table (with wrists on the edge of the table).
Never chew with your mouth open or make loud noises when you eat. Although it is possible to talk with a small piece of food in your mouth, do not talk with your mouth full.
Never spit a piece of bad food or tough gristle into your napkin. Remove the food from your mouth using your cutlery, Place the piece of food on the edge of your plate. If possible, cover it with some other food from your plate
Say “no thank you” if you don’t like or want something.
Eat at a moderate speed and don’t make others wait for you to finish.
Do not slurp soup from a spoon.
General Tips:
You should not leave the table during the meal except in an emergency. phones at the table is a big no but if you are expecting a call about something then let your host know as soon as possible so they know to expect it during the meal.
Have some general conversation topics ready at all times.
