Dining

  • Place your napkin on your lap when you sit down
  • If you need to leave the table during the meal, leave your napkin on your chair or to the right of your plate
  • Never tuck your napkin into your collar (belt is fine)
  • Do not re-fold your used napkin when you are finished your meal
  • Do not use your napkin to wipe your face or nose. Use it to gently tap at your mouth
  • Wait for the host to order, unless he/she directs you to go first
  • Don’t order the most expensive item on the menu, and stay away from messy foods like spaghetti or other foods that are difficult to eat, like shellfish
  • Don’t order alcohol unless your host does. Never order more than one and drink responsibly

  • Use utensils from the outside to inside
  • The “rest” position for your utensils is crossed on your plate, with the fork tines pointing down. This tells the waiter that you are not finished
  • When you have finished eating, place them side by side pointing to the 11 o’clock position
  • Never leave the spoon in the cup or soup bowl after using it. Put it on the saucer
  • Used utensils should never touch the table
  • Always pass the salt and pepper together, even if only one is requested
  • If you are asked to pass something such as salt or pepper, don’t use/take some first before passing (unless the person requesting it invites you to)
  • Pass items in a counter-clockwise direction (to your right)
  • Spoon your soup away from you and quietly sip from the side of the spoon
  • If soup is too hot, wait for it to cool before eating. Don’t blow on it
  • Never crumble crackers into your soup. Take a bite of the cracker, then some soup
  • Place the butter on your bread and butter plate, or on the side of your dinner plate, if there is no separate plate
  • Break off small pieces of bread or roll and butter and eat a piece at a time
  • When eating meat, cut and eat one piece at a time
  • After using sugar out of a packet or butter off a paper square, put the paper under the edge of your plate, on the edge of your butter plate
  • Chew quietly, mouth closed, and don’t talk with food in your mouth
  • Keep your elbows off the table when eating. You may rest your arms up to the forearms on the table, although it is best to keep one hand on your lap, except when cutting up food
  • Bring food to mouth, not mouth to food

  • Don’t push your plate to the centre of the table when finished
  • Don’t apply makeup at the table or use a toothpick to clean your teeth
  • Don’t blow your nose at the table. Quietly excuse yourself and go to the washroom
  • Turn your head and cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough
  • Don’t leave your personal belongings on the table
  • Turn your cell phone off