Dining Etiquette (Good to know for scholarship dinners, winter formal, prom, dating, meeting future in-laws for the first time, dinners with an employer, etc.)

RSVP Responez s’il vous plait Respond whether or not you are going to attend.

Dressing for the Occasion Formal Dress: GENTLEMEN: Tuxedo LADIES: Long or mid-length evening dress with matching or coordinating shoes, purse, and jewelry

Dressing for the Occasion Semi-Formal Dress: GENTLEMEN: Dark business suit & white shirt LADIES: Knee length or mid-length evening dress, cocktail dress, or evening suit

Dressing for the Occasion Informal Dress: GENTLEMEN: Polo-style shirt, golf shirts, dress slacks, dress blue jeans LADIES: Slacks, jumpsuit, sport coordinates, dress blue jeans

Dressing for the Occasion Optional: GENTLEMEN: Usually a combination of semi-formal or formal LADIES: Usually a combination of semi-formal or formal

Arrive Early Arrive a few minutes early Never arrive more than a few minutes late

Bring a Hostess Gift Small gift Avoid flowers, candy, wine, or desserts because the hostess will feel obligated to put it out immediately

Formal Dinner Table Setting

Informal Dinner Table Setting ELDeR: Eat to the Left, Drink to your Right. Any food dish to the left is yours, and any glass to the right is yours.

Sitting Down to Eat Wait for the host or hostess to sit before taking your seat. At formal dinners, let the host or hostess seat you.

Gentlemen Seating Ladies Gentleman pulls out chair or puts his hand on the back of the chair if it is already pulled out. Ladies scoot the chair in while the gentleman’s hand rests lightly on the back of the chair. Ladies quietly thank the gentleman

How to Use Napkins Unfold napkin and place it on your lap Napkin remains on lap until the end of the meal When finished, lay the semi-folded napkin to the left of the plate Do not: Wipe your nose with the napkin Clean your silverware with the napkin Place the napkin on your plate or chair

When to Begin Eating At a Restaurant At a Dinner Party ● When everyone has been served At a Dinner Party ● When the host or hostess picks up their fork to eat ● When the host or hostess insists that you start eating

Using Silverware Use silverware from the outside in When finished with your meal, place silverware in a clock position of 10 to 4, with the handles at 4. Never put used silverware back on table

Using Silverware Use silverware to remove unwanted pieces of food from your mouth (fish bones, fatty meat, etc.) Cut only a few bites of food at a time. (Knife in right hand, fork in left) Don’t push food onto your fork with bread or fingers.

Serving Food Food is served from the left. Dishes are removed from the right.

Passing Food Pass food to the right Do not pass across the table Pass salt and pepper together Do not intercept food while it is being passed to others. Use the serving utensils to serve yourself, not your personal silverware.

Eating Food Do not talk with food in your mouth Cut no more than two bites of food at a time. Do eat a little of everything on your plate. Pace your eating so that you finish with others at the table.

Table Manners Keep elbows off the table. Keep left hand in lap unless it is being used. No slurping or burping Do not blow your nose at the table If you must cough, cover your mouth with your napkin. Turn off cell phones. If you must take a call, excuse yourself from the table Do not use a toothpick at the table Do not put on makeup at the table

Dividing or Sharing a Bill Assume the bill will be divided equally If you know you are going to ask for a separate check, tell the server before you order If you order more food than others at your table, be prepared to contribute more money toward the bill.

Tipping T.I.P.S. means To Insure Prompt Service. At a restaurant, tip 15% - 20% of the bill before tax is added (or double the tax) Tip 25% for extraordinary service If you use coupons, tip as if you didn’t

Thank You Note Send a thank you note to the host or hostess after a dinner party