Table Setting Etiquette

Tricky Foods: Don’t Spill Your Soup!

2006-01-17T02:48:00.000-08:00

One of the trickiest, and most incorrectly eaten foods would have to be the bowl of soup. Some of the techniques people employ to eat soup are quite amazing – and a constant source of amusement for Waiters and Waitresses. So now, you will be able to order a wonderful soup from the menu at a restaurant instead of holding off for fear of adding to the staffs’ amusement!

Holding your spoon in your lead hand, immerse your spoon into the center of the soup – making sure the scooping motion is outward i.e. scoop the soup away from you – toward the center of the table. Make sure you scoop the soup from the right side of the bowl (or left if holding the spoon in your left hand).

The one caveat to this is if the soup is very hot (you should always let soup cool to some degree as you don't want to slurp (which is easy to do if it's hot)). Immerse the spoon towards the outer edge of the bowl – as the soup will be cooler towards the shallower edge of the bowl. Scoop from the "bottom edge" of the bowl – the bottom being the edge closest to you.
Slowly, and CAREFULLY bring the spoon up towards your mouth – remember, soup is to be taken from the SIDE of the spoon - NOT by inserting the spoon into your mouth. Effectively you are ‘sipping’ the soup from the side of the spoon.
MOST IMPORTANTLY – do NOT slurp the soup!! It is imperative you silently sip the soup from the side of the spoon.
When approaching the end of the soup, it is completely acceptable to ‘tip’ your bowl to enable you to get the remaining soup – however (and this is where most people get it wrong), it is ONLY acceptable to tip the bowl slightly – and away from you! NEVER tip the bowl toward yourself. In other words, tip the bowl towards the center of the table.

Soup is only one of the vast number of tricky foods you will be faced with over the course of dining in restaurants, dinner parties, social gatherings etc. These foods can be the cause of sheer terror, or embarrassment if you are unsure how to deal with them properly.

The more you know about these foods – and the greater the number of tricky foods you know how to eat properly - the more relaxed and confident you will be in any situation. Imagine not being afraid of ANY dish at a restaurant or a dinner party – because you know exactly how to deal with them ALL!

Make sure you have all the knowledge you need to successfully and correctly eat ANY tricky dish you will ever face – have a look at my highly praised dining etiquette manual: Dining Etiquette – The Concise Guide For Everyone! which will have you a master of ALL the tricky foods in no time at all! To get your very own copy, or for more information, simply click here.

Dinner Parties – Things To Do BEFORE the Meal is Served

2006-01-08T03:41:00.000-08:00

When hosting a dinner party, there are many things that need to be done to ensure everything runs smoothly. For example:

There are things that are required to be done before the party even starts (see earlier post - Dinner Parties – Planning Is Essential!)
Things that are required to be done before the meal is actually served
Things that are required to be done during the meal itself
Things that are required to be done after the meal has been finished
And even things that are required to be done AFTER the party is over!

In this post, we will focus on some of the important things to do BEFORE the meal is actually served. These things are important as they set the tone for the entire evening. Spend a little time getting these organized, and you will go a long way to ensuring your dinner party is a great success. So:

Be Dressed and Ready When Your Guests Arrive
Sounds obvious I know, but you would be amazed at how many people hold a dinner party, and get so wrapped up in preparing everything, that they are not ready when their guests start to arrive! This is REALLY important – you don't want to leave your guests waiting while you have a shower and get dressed!!

Let Your Guests Know Where Your Home Is Located
Have something outside – near the door to greet your guests as they approach; a wreath, a potted plant, a festive decoration, garden tea lights or luminaries (preferably not balloons – keep those for a child's party!). Make sure your guests know what to look for though!

Have Someone Greet Your Guests as they Arrive
It is important to have someone greeting your guests as they arrive (it is good if you can arrange a friend, or family member to perform this task as it keeps you free for other tasks). Have the person direct guests to where they can place their belongings. Ensure this 'greeter' introduces people, and ask them to accept host gifts graciously on your behalf.

Ensure Guests Have Pre-Dinner Drinks
It is always a good idea to have pre-meal drinks and hors d’oeuvres, as it helps people relax. Make sure you offer guests a drink as soon as possible after they arrive, and have two or three hors d’oeuvres on the coffee table. This will help put them "in the mood" for communication!
Prepare the EntreeDuring hors d’oeuvres, slip out to get the first course on the table before the guests are asked to take their seats. The exception here is if the first course is hot; then you would wait to serve until the guests are seated.

As I mentioned, there are many, many things you need to consider for a smooth-running dinner party – and I have only touched on one small component here! Always keep in mind though, the more you plan for a dinner party, the smoother things will run – which of course means more fun for you – and your guests!

A dinner party can be a wonderful social occasion and a fantastic chance to catch up with great friends in a completely relaxed environment, so long as you have ALL the bases covered! Make sure you know all the tips and tricks of hosting a perfect dinner party by getting your very own copy of Dining Etiquette – The Concise Guide For Everyone! In it I cover all the important things you need to know so you can host the perfect dinner party! To get your very own copy, or for more information, simply click here to be taken to the website.

Teaching Kids Table Manners – Prioritize Learning

2006-01-05T19:05:00.000-08:00

Teaching kids table manners can be tough! There’s often frustration, tiredness, temper tantrums, throwing food, shouting… and that’s just you!

The most important thing to keep in mind when teaching your kids table manners is that it doesn't have to be this way! It can actually be fun -- and quite easy!

There are lots of things you can do to help make teaching kids table manners and dining etiquette easy and stress free. Use these tips and ideas designed to 'ease the stress' of teaching your kids table nammers and etiquette, and you will go a long way to de-stressing this whole process:

Prioritize Learning:
There are so many things for children to learn when it comes to good table manners, so what should we teach them first? In most cases priorities will be fairly similar, for example, teaching a young child how to set the table for a formal dinner party would probably be seen by most parents as a lower priority - however, it may differ somewhat depending on a family’s lifestyle.

By assigning a priority, you will essentially be defining a lesson plan for how you intend to teach your children good table manners.

Whether you aim to teach them one new item each week, or each month, is entirely up to you to decide. By at least identifying what you consider to be priorities up front, you can focus on one thing at a time and check it off as your child masters it.

A general recommendation - and a good starting point - is to prioritize your kids learning from simplest to most complex - which is aligned with children’s natural capacity for learning anyway.

Teaching kids table manners and dining etiquette can be a HUGE (not to mention daunting) task! It can test the patience and strength of even the most calm and stable parent (you may know exactly what I am talking about here!!). The thing to remember is that while there are going to be times that can test anyone, generally teaching kids table manners and etiquette should be fun (for you as well as your kids!) and should not cause you to pull your hair out in frustration!

Following simple guidelines and techniques - and being consistent with it - will have you well on your way to a harmonious dinner time with your children.

For MANY more tips, advice, and great ideas for teaching kids table manners and etiquette, grab your very own copy of Dining Etiquette – The Concise Guide For Everyone! In it you will find plenty of great information and tips relating to teaching kids table manners and dining etiquette. To get your very own copy, or for more information, simply click here to be taken to the website.

Dinner Parties – Planning Is Essential!

2006-01-04T03:33:00.000-08:00

If you are hosting a dinner party, it is often the little things that can make the difference between a great success and a big failure! So, with this in mind, I am including some dinner party tips that will have you well on your way to hosting a great dinner party that people remember for ages!

So, with that in mind, here we go...

Planning - The Key to a Successful Dinner Party!
That sounds logical doesn't it? If you are planning a dinner party, make sure you actually PLAN the party - correct?!

Well, you would probably be amazed (or you might not be if you have been guilty of this yourself), just how many dinner parties with friends are ruined, or end up being a huge stress event, simply because not enough planning had gone into the event!

People seem to think that a dinner party with friends means they don't need to worry too much about the planning stage. Unfortunately though, this is not the case - in reality, it actually shows a level of disrespect for your friends. Think about it - don't your friends deserve the very best from you - rather than a half-hearted effort?

So, plan the dinner party carefully, and you will avoid disasters, not to mention a great deal of stress! Some things to remember when planning for a dinner party:

The very first thing you need to plan is your attendance list. This is very important as it quite possibly will dictate the menu for the party (Vegetarians / Vegans etc.).
Set a date for the dinner party as soon as you have your list - and get the invites out right away! You want to give people as much notice as possible. That way, it is unlikely they will have other plans on that date. Make sure you ask people in your invitations to RSVP as soon as possible so you can finalize the menu.
Create a draft menu based on your attendee list.
Based on your actual RSVP's, and your original menu plan, create your final menu for the party. Do this as early as possible in the planning. As your menu is a major component of your party, it is important to get it set, and out of the way early in the piece to free up time for other things that need planning.

There are many, many things to consider when planning a dinner party - and we have only touched on a few here. Always keep in mind though, the more you plan for a dinner party, the smoother things will run, and the more relaxed you will be - which of course means the more fun you and your guests will have!

A dinner party can be a wonderful social occasion and a fantastic chance to catch up with friends in a completely relaxed environment, so long as you have planned it well in advance. Make sure you know all the tips and tricks of planning a dinner party by checking out Dining Etiquette – The Concise Guide For Everyone! In it I cover all the important things to plan for, so you can host the perfect dinner party! For more information, simply click here to be taken to the website!

Tricky Foods: Eating Bread - The Correct Way

2006-01-01T13:36:00.000-08:00

Ah, bread - the single most incorrectly eaten food in a restaurant. Fortunately though, as so many other people are doing it incorrectly, it is quite likely there will be very few people who actually realize anyone is making a mistake!

Ask any Maître D' and they will tell you it is the number one thing wait staff notice about patrons' dining etiquette. So if you know what you are doing, you will certainly have a BIG advantage over MOST people in a restaurant! And at the end of the day, you are always far better off knowing exactly what to do, than not knowing what to do - especially given bread really is such a simple item to master.

Okay, here's a brief overview of how it goes:

Once the bread is placed on the bread and butter plate to your left, you should use your butter knife to transfer a small portion of butter onto the side of this plate. This step can be skipped altogether and the bread buttered directly, in which case, jump to step 3.
Return your knife to its correct position on the bread and butter plate (the right hand side of the plate, lying along the 1 to 5 o'clock position (i.e. slightly off-center), the tip facing 1 o'clock).
Next, break off a small, SINGLE bite-size portion of the bread, and butter this portion with the butter transferred to your plate in the earlier step.
If there is an oil condiment for the bread (olive oil for example), the same principles apply - always tearing off small bite-size portions of the bread and applying your oil to that bite size piece of bread.
NEVER butter the whole piece of bread - this is a BIG no-no, and the most common mistake made by people at a restaurant!
NEVER eat your bread without breaking off a small piece first - this is the other common mistake made.

There is one exception to rules above: if you are served a hot roll, it is permissible to tear (not cut) the whole roll lengthwise down the middle and place a pat of butter inside to melt. But again, break the bread into small, bite size portions to eat.

I hope this gives you an idea of how to correctly deal with bread. You see, bread, like a lot of other foods, has very specific protocol and if you don't know what that protocol is, you can end up looking like the proverbial fish out of water! The more you know about these foods – and the greater the number of tricky foods you know how to eat properly, the more relaxed and confident you will be in any dining etiquette situation. Imagine not being afraid of ANY dish at a restaurant or a dinner party – because you know how to correctly handle them ALL!

Make sure you have all the knowledge you will ever need to successfully navigate ANY tricky dish you will ever face again - get your very own copy of my concise dining etiquette manual: Dining Etiquette – The Concise Guide For Everyone! which will have you a master of tricky foods in no time! To get your very own copy, or for more information, simply click here.

Table Settings: Feel Confident Navigating ANY Table Setting!

2006-01-01T04:51:00.000-08:00

We all know that terrible feeling of sitting down at a nice restaurant, or a dinner party with friends, and looking down at the table setting and experiencing that all too familiar panicked feeling override us…

“What is this knife, and that fork used for?”
“What order do I use all the different knives and forks in?”
“What are the little knives and forks above my plate used for?”
“What’s the nutcracker & spade thing used for?”

The important thing to remember about (what appears to be) complex table settings, is that there is a very structured order for using the utensils. So, while it can look daunting, as long as you remember the (rather simple) rules, you will be able to navigate the settings with ease! The most important rule for navigating utensils is simply: start from the OUTSIDE and move your way INSIDE for each course!

Generally, utensils are laid out on the table from the outside in – in accordance with the dishes. For example, let’s say you have a setting with two forks to the left of the plate, two knives to the right, and a single spoon also on the right, but inside the two knives – a total of five pieces – quite daunting if you’re unsure of how to proceed. So, here’s how you work your way through this setting: first remember the basic rule – work from the outside in:

For the entrée, use the outermost knife and fork.
For the main course, use the innermost knife and fork.
For desert, use the spoon on the right.

So, as you can see this basic table setting is actually very simple to navigate – just remember: from the outside to the inside!!

Okay, what about a slightly more formal table setting of two forks to the left, two knives to the right, and a single smaller knife and fork ABOVE the dinner plate?? This is the sort of setting that can send novices into a panic! Well, not any more - now you can approach this with complete confidence. As with the past example, follow the simple rule “from the outside in”:

Use the outermost knife and fork for the entrée.
Then move to the larger, innermost knife and fork for the main meal.
And finally, move to the knife and fork above the plate for desert – these are simply the desert utensils!

So as you can see, even this formal table setting is really quite simple when you know how.

Obviously these are only two of MANY different table settings that you may potentially encounter. The more prepared you are, the more comfortable and confident you will be in ANY dining situation.

Make sure you have all the knowledge you need to navigate your way confidently through ANY dining setting – simply check out my dining and social etiquette manual: Dining Etiquette – The Concise Guide For Everyone! which will enable you to feel total confidence in your ability to handle any table setting! For more information, simply click here!

Fundamental Table Manners

2005-08-19T17:44:00.000-07:00

Solid table manners are critically important in so many different areas of our lives these days: dating; socializing with friends; making new friends; family gatherings; business; work, and so on.

They are at the core of making good impressions on other people (especially important with so much business being done over lunch or dinner). Solid table manners really are a fundamental skill that can result in positive outcomes in many areas of your life! Make the effort to master your basic table manners, and the positives will flow from there!

So, with this in mind, I will share with you a few basic guidelines for good table manners! Some of these you may not have heard before; some will seem like common sense; and others may be a simple recap.

Never talk with your mouth full - This one is obvious, but again, it seems a lot of people have forgotten even the most basic of table manners in this day and age.

Chew with your mouth closed - Again, an obvious one that has been forgotten to some degree when you look around at other people eating.

Don't tilt or squirm in your chair - Apart from the obvious spinal risks of tilting in your chair, it indicates a degree of boredom or frustration with the people around you. This might very well be the case, but don't show it!

Keep the table and tablecloth as clean as possible - Do not put bones or anything on the table. Things that are not eaten should be put on your plate.

Do not spit anything out - If there is something in your mouth that you cannot swallow, quietly - and subtly - put it in your napkin, then transfer it onto the edge of your plate and then continue on eating.

Eat quietly. Do not slurp anything - NOTHING is more off-putting, and completely distracting than listening to someone who is eating loudly! It is one of those things that once you notice it, it's as if it becomes the loudest thing in the entire room and is impossible to ignore!

Meals are to be slow, pleasant, leisurely occasions - Enjoy your food, as well as your companions. Make sure you talk, and at least appear to be thoroughly enjoying the conversation. At times (especially at business dinners), conversation can be boring or uninteresting to you - but NEVER let that show!

Do not touch your nose, hair or teeth while at the table - All of these are again obvious, however, it is actually considered especially rude and disrespectful to play with your hair at the table, as this can be seen as encroaching on others' rights to a hygienic eating environment.

After the meal, go to the restroom and clean your teeth if you need to - Do not do so either at the table or while you are in the company of your eating companions, even if you have left the table.

We have only touched on a select few guidelines here, and there are literally hundreds of little things that should - and should not - be done at the dinner table. To learn everything you will ever need to know about table manners and many, MANY other things related to all aspects of etiquette, make sure get your very own copy of my concise dining etiquette manual:

Dining Etiquette – The Concise Guide For Everyone!

...which will teach you all the table manners you will ever need to make a top-class impression on anyone on the other side of the dinner table! To get your very own copy, or for more information, simply click here to be taken to the order page.

Make A Good Impression With Correct Table Setting Etiquette

2005-07-05T22:59:00.000-07:00

Knowing correct table setting etiquette is something that can make a big impression on family, friends and acquaintances.

Knowing your way around a table setting is important -- especially when you are trying to make a good impression. The skills and knowledge needed to navigate your way around a complex table setting show discipline, attention to detail, and a respect of etiquette that is sadly lacking in this day and age. These values make a fantastic impression on just about anybody!

Whether you are at a dinner with a prospective client, employer, or even a first date, knowing proper table setting etiquette can go a long way to drastically improving your chances of a positive outcome. Remember, many, MANY people do NOT know their way around a formal -- and in some cases, even a simple -- table setting! So, by knowing good, precise table setting etiquette, you are already in front -- and will score valuable points even before being judged for the actual reason you are there.

Humans make constant judgments about other humans at a subconscious level without utilizing a high amount of conscious processing. This means that the impression you make on another person is constantly being adjusted (unless it is initially negative, and then it tends to stay that way for the duration of your interaction), based on continuing factors.

This is why it is imperative to have perfect table setting etiquette at all times -- allowing you to constantly make a favorable impression.

To learn everything there is to know about proper table setting etiquette, simply have a look at the most thorough, yet concise manual ever written on the subject:

"Dining Etiquette - The Concise Guide For Everyone!" written by Billie-Ann Nolan.

This manual will teach you everything you need to successfully navigate any table setting. You will have new-found confidence in dealing with any table setting etiquette situation!

Billie-Ann Nolan is an etiquette expert and creator of "Dining Etiquette - The Concise Guide For Everyone!" Find out more about her amazing manual at her website: www.table-etiquette.com

Table Setting Etiquette

2005-06-24T15:17:00.000-07:00

The truth is, etiquette is NOT something ANY of us are born with--it is something we have to learn! Not knowing proper table setting etiquette--which utensil to use, or how to eat a particular dish, or being unsure of how to act properly at a cocktail party or a first date, feeling nervous at a formal dinner or a work function, even being unsure of what is expected at a café; all of these are NORMAL feelings that DO happen to all of us at some stage!!

There is absolutely NO REASON why you should feel uncomfortable, embarrassed, nervous, or out of place in any of these situations! Remember, every other person there, at some stage, didn't know what to do either!! As I said, etiquette is not something ANYONE is born with--you have to learn it! And keep in mind, these settings are supposed to be fun and enjoyable!!

Billie-Ann Nolan is an etiquette expert and creator of "Dining Etiquette - The Concise Guide For Everyone!" Find out more about her amazing manual at her website: www.table-etiquette.com