From The First Bite To The Last Toast, 10 Essential Table Manners To Dine Like A Pro!

Mastering table manners is an art that can enhance your dining experience and the impression you leave on others. It’s more than just knowing how to hold your utensils or where to place your napkin; it’s about showing respect, grace, and consideration for those around you. Whether you’re dining at a formal event, enjoying a casual meal with friends, or attending a business lunch, following proper etiquette can make the experience smoother and more enjoyable for everyone involved. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the essential table manners everyone should know:

Elevate Your Dining Experience With These Table Manners

1. Chew With Your Mouth Closed

Although it might seem obvious, it is surprising how frequently people overlook this. Not only does chewing with your mouth open create unpleasant sounds, but it also exposes your food to others. Always chew quietly, close your mouth, and avoid talking with food in your mouth. It’s the simplest yet most important courtesy to extend to your fellow diners.

2. No Phones At The Table

Your smartphone may be an extension of your hand, but at the dinner table, it’s a no-go. Placing your phone on the table or checking messages while dining signals disinterest in the company and the meal. Instead, switch your phone to silent or vibrate and keep it tucked away. 

3. Hold Utensils Correctly

Forks, knives, and spoons are more than just tools to get food from your plate to your mouth. Hold them correctly to avoid looking awkward or clumsy. The fork should be held in the left hand, tines facing down, and the knife in the right hand for cutting. 

4. Wash Up And Come Clean

Before sitting down at the table, make sure your hands are clean. Washing your hands shows respect for both your fellow diners and the meal itself. In some fine dining settings, a small dish of water may be provided for you to dip your hands in. 

Also Read: From Baguettes To Butter, A Guide To Mastering Bread Etiquettes With Elegance And Precision

5. The Napkin: Your Unsung Hero

The napkin is more important than you might think. When you sit down, the first thing you should do is place the napkin on your lap. It’s there to catch any spills and to be used for gently dabbing your mouth. If you need to leave the table, place the napkin on your chair to indicate you’re coming back. 

6. Pass Food To The Right

Passing food correctly helps maintain order at the table. Always pass dishes to your right in an anticlockwise direction. If someone to your left asks for something, it’s perfectly fine to hand it directly to them. 

7. Use The Correct Utensils

In more formal settings, you may be faced with multiple utensils—forks, knives, and spoons galore! The trick is simple: work from the outside in. Each course typically has its own utensils, and as the meal progresses, you’ll naturally use the next set. Don’t stress; just follow the sequence.

8. Keep Elbows Off the Table

While it’s fine to rest your elbows on the table between courses or while engaging in conversation, avoid doing so when eating. Elbows on the table can take up too much space and appear sloppy. 

9. Be Mindful of Your Drink

When it comes to sipping your drink, be mindful of when you do so. Avoid taking a sip while still chewing, and never slurp your drink. A small, polite sip between bites is best, and be sure not to guzzle your beverage in one go.

10. Mind Your Napkin Placement

When you need to take a break from eating or when you’ve finished, your utensils have specific “resting” positions. In American dining style, when pausing, place your knife on the top right of your plate and your fork on the plate, tines up. When finished, lay your knife and fork parallel to each other diagonally across your plate at the 4 o’clock position.

By mastering these table manners, you not only show respect for your host and fellow diners but you also elevate the entire dining experience for yourself and those around you.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva