In the past, eating together was very common. Nowadays, many more people eat alone, eat in front of the television, or quickly grab something before they go out that manners are not taken into account. Below we have listed the most common mistakes in table etiquette.
Eat before everyone has their plate in front of them
We understand. You are hungry and you want to eat right away. But don't start until everyone has their plate in front of them and is seated, no matter how hungry you are and fear your food will get cold.
Eating with your hands
What you can and can't eat with your hands is confusing. In general, it is best not to use your fingers and to hold the knife and fork. There are of course exceptions to this rule. Pizza, chips, tacos and other wraps where fillings can fall out can be eaten with your hands.
Leave your napkin on the table
For such a simple object, napkins are quite confusing. Make sure to put your napkin on your lap as soon as everyone is seated, and if you have to get up in the middle of a meal to go to the toilet, put your napkin on your seat.
Licking your fingers
The sauce is delicious, we get it. But if you ate with your fingers, or somehow got some food on your fingers, resist the temptation to lick them clean. You got a napkin for a reason.
Not knowing which glass is for what
It's easy to get confused in more formal dining settings, when there are all kinds of knives, forks, plates and glasses in place. Your water glass is always the largest glass, followed by the red wine glass. The glass for the white wine is the smallest. Although there are variations on the size of the wine glasses. The glasses are always to the right of your plate. Always place your water glass closest to your plate.
Don't lift your glass
No glass is so heavy that you just can't lift it off the table. Don't lean your body over the table to sip from a straw while your glass is still on the table, and make sure to keep your elbows off the table and bring your wine glass all the way up to your lips.
Order shellfish without knowing how to eat it
If you're not a regular fish-eater who knows how to actually crack open a lobster or crab, avoid ordering this from a restaurant if you can. If you do get it served somewhere, copy the others around you or ask your neighbor for help. Otherwise, you run the risk of a crab leg flying at a guest sitting across from you on the other side of the table.
Passing food in any way
Food is always passed on the right side. Stick to it and start passing the dish holding you in the other direction.
Pass salt and pepper separately
If someone asks you to pass the salt, be sure to pass the pepper as well. These two herbs are a very happily married couple and do not want to be separated. Someday.
Put your elbows on the table
Elbows should never rest on the table. There's a simple, practical reason to explain this:if you lean forward with your arms on the table, not only will you slouch, but you'll almost certainly block the conversation around you. You disturb other guests if you lean your body forward across the table, even if you don't realize you're being rude.
Herbs before tasting
You never know how a host or chef has seasoned their food and it's rude to assume it hasn't been seasoned properly. If you sprinkle salt on the potatoes or meat before eating, you also run the risk of having too much salt on them.
Put your belongings on the table
You travel with many things. We understand it. You almost always have a wallet, a cell phone, keys, and other random items. But putting these items on the table, especially a phone, makes the others feel unimportant. Keep your phone in your pocket or bag, just like the rest of your stuff.
Slurp soup
There is nothing like a delicious bowl of soup, but it is very difficult to eat this politely. There are a few simple rules you can follow to make the task of elegantly eating soup a little easier. Rule #1:Don't slurp. If your soup is piping hot, blow gently on the spoon before eating and swallow slowly. Do not blow all over the shell. Lift the spoon to your mouth, do not move your mouth towards your spoon. And when you get to the bottom of the bowl, tilt the bowl away from you and move the spoon toward the bottom of the bowl to scoop up the last drop.
Talking without considering the situation
Although you do it every day, knowing the right way to start a conversation - especially with strangers - is an art form. After all, not everyone knows the rules of small talk over dinner! But a few quick tips:don't just talk about yourself, ask questions and listen.
Talking with cutlery in hand
It may seem pointless to hold down your knife and fork when everything you want to eat right away, but it's rude to hold your cutlery while you're chewing and talking. If it gets a little heated, it can seem like you're trying to stab your dining partner! Put them on your plate to rest while you eat and talk.
Talk with your mouth full
Everyone is taught not to speak with their mouth full from a young age, and it is something that should never be forgotten. Even if someone has asked you a question and you are desperate to answer but you have your mouth full, finish what you eat before you answer. If you don't, and instead shower your dining partner with crumbs, you can be sure they won't ask you any more questions for the rest of the evening.
Text or answer calls at the table
We know you're very busy and important and the world depends on your prompt response to that email, text or phone call, but please put your phone away. If you really want to make a phone call or send a text, excuse yourself from the table, but never for more than a few minutes.
Try to grab something that is far away
That fried chicken seems just within reach, as long as you get off your seat a bit and stretch your arms out. But don't try. The other guests don't want your arms dangling over their food or your glass knocking over. Wait until there is an easy pause in the conversation and politely ask someone to give you what you need.
Use fallen cutlery
If you drop your fork on the floor, don't pick it up quickly to use it again. You have to reach down and pick it up, but don't continue using it. The cutlery is filthy the moment it falls on the floor.
Using the wrong cutlery
If you take your place at a table and immediately panic because you are surrounded by knives, forks and spoons of all shapes and sizes, just remember a simple trick:work from the outside in. Start your meal with the smallest knife and fork furthest from your plate, and work your way in as each course goes by.
Fast food
Even if you're starving, and have politely waited for everyone to start eating, don't eat like you haven't seen food for days.
