These are a few "rules" to help guide you when you are dining out or feel a tad insecure with your dining surroundings. Please don't pressure yourself to be perfect when you are dining. Being comfortable with yourself is more important than following these guidelines. If you find you are in a sticky situation or unsure, just recall these suggestions and feel me beside you whispering them in your ear with a wink and a smile. If you want to adopt one rule or all of these rules, be my guest. But most importantly, relax and enjoy.
As soon as you are seated, place your napkin in your lap.
Wait to begin eating until the hostess takes the first bite. Also follow her lead when in doubt about which utensil to use.
Once you pick up a piece of flatware, never place it back on the table; rest it on your plate. Leave the knife at upper plate edge with blade toward the plate. Leave the fork centered on the plate.
Never butter a whole piece of bread at one time; instead, break off a bite-sized piece, butter; and eat it. Biscuits are an exception.
Remove olive pits or any seed from your mouth with the same utensil you used to eat the food.
For formal service, present a served dinner plate at the left of the recipient; remove plates from the right.
For family-style service, pass food around the table to the right.
When passing salt and pepper; place the shakers or mills on the table rather than handing them directly to the person requesting them. And always pass both salt and pepper; even if only one is requested.
Place your knife and fork together at the "3:15" position on your plate to signal that you've finished your meal.
At the end of the meal as you leave the table, place your napkin on the table, not in your chair or on your plate.
oh...and in America, we don't burp to show our satisfaction for the good meal... Cheers!
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