12 ETIQUETTE RULES YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN YOU’RE DINING AT A RESTAURANT.
Dining etiquette is more than just table manners. Here’s what to know about etiquette rules for eating at a restaurant.
1. THE HOST SHOULD ALWAYS PAY.
This one can be a bit tricky. If you did the inviting, you are the host, and you should pay the bill, regardless of gender. What if a male guest wants to pay? A woman does have some choices. She can say, ‘Oh, it’s not me;’ Or she can excuse herself from the table and pay the bill away from the guests. This option works for men as well, and it is a very refined way to pay a bill.
However, the bottom line is that you don’t want to fight over a bill. If a male guest insists on paying despite a female host’s best efforts, let him pay.
2. THINK “BMW” TO REMEMBER WHERE PLATES AND GLASSES GO.
Always remember the “BMW” Rule , which stands for Bread, Meal and Water. Your bread-and-butter plate is on the left, the meal is in the middle, and your water glass is on the right.
3. ALWAYS PLACE A NAPKIN ON YOUR LAP BEFORE BEGINNING MEAL
Napkins should be placed on the lap as soon as you are seated. It should be half-folded with the crease closest to you. When you temporarily leave the table, place your napkin on your chair to signal that you will be returning. Never wear your napkin like a cravat.
4. DON’T PUT YOUR CELLPHONE, KEYS, OR PURSE ON THE TABLE.
It’s just common sense. It distracts not only your other dining companions, but also your waiter and the entire restaurant.
5. IF YOU NEED SOMETHING THEN ASK FOR THE NEAREST PERSON TO PASS IT
Don’t stretch and reach across the table for something you want. Ask for closest person to pass it to you.
6. CHEW THE FOOD WITH THE MOUTH CLOSED
Eat slowly and take smaller bites so that your mouth doesn’t look stuffed. Place your knife and fork down between each bite, with the fork tines facing down onto the plate. Never speak with food in your mouth. Smacking and slurping food are major mistakes and a sign of bad table manners.
7. BRING YOUR FOOD TO YOUR FACE, NOT YOUR FACE TO YOUR FOOD
You shouldn’t be leaning over your food, shoveling it into your mouth with a distance traveled of only 6 inches. Instead, sit straight, balance a single bite on the utensil of choice and bring it directly to your mouth. And never drink from your soup bowl.
8. DON’T CALL OUT TO YOUR WAITER
Instead, try to make eye contact with him or her to silently signal that you need something. If you still can’t get your waiter’s attention, raise your hand in their direction.
9. ALWAYS BREAK BREAD WITH YOUR HANDS.
You should never use your knife to cut your rolls at a business dinner. Break your roll in half and tear off one piece at a time, and butter the piece as you are ready to eat it.
10. KNOW THE “REST” AND “FINISHED” POSITIONS.
Place your knife and fork in the rest position (knife on top of plate, fork across middle of plate) to let the waiter know you are resting. Use the finished position (fork below the knife, diagonally across the plate) to indicate that you have finished eating.
11. KEEP THE FOOD OPTIONS BALANCED WITH YOUR GUEST.
This means if your guest orders an appetizer or dessert, you should follow suit. “You don’t want to make your guest feel uncomfortable by eating a course alone.
12. DO NOT USE THE NAPKIN AS A TISSUE.
The napkin should only be used for blotting the sides of your mouth. If you need to blow your nose, excuse yourself to the bathroom.
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