Dining Etiquette Office of Career Services

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. And in this fast-food era, many people have forgotten – or were never taught - the fundamentals of dining etiquette. Which way should I pass? Which fork is mine? What do I do with my napkin? Table manners play an important part in making a favorable impression. They are visible signals of your manners and therefore are essential to professional success. Whether you are having lunch with a prospective employer or dinner with a business associate, your manners speak volumes about you.

Meals can be used to observe your behavior in social settings to see how you conduct yourself, particularly if the job for which you are interviewing requires a certain standard of conduct with clients and superiors. Remember, the meal is an extension of the interview so put your best foot forward.

Do not place any bags, purses, sunglasses, cell phones, or briefcases on the table When everyone is seated, gently unfold your napkin and place it on your lap, folded in half with the fold towards your waist Keep utensils in the same order they appear on the table Do not rearrange utensils to accommodate yourself if you are left- handed Wait for all parties to arrive before beginning any part of the meal

In a Restaurant: As soon as you are seated, remove the napkin from your place setting, unfold it, and put it in your lap. Do not shake it open. The napkin rests on the lap until the end of the meal. Don't clean the cutlery or wipe your face with the napkin. NEVER use it to wipe your nose! If you excuse yourself from the table, loosely fold the napkin and place it to the left or right of your plate. Do not refold your napkin or wad it up on the table either. Never place your napkin in your chair. At the end of the meal, leave the napkin semi-folded at the left side of the place setting. It should not be crumpled or twisted; nor should it be folded or left on the chair. At a Formal Dinner or Private Party: The meal begins when the host or hostess unfolds his or her napkin. This is your signal to do the same. Place your napkin on your lap, completely unfolded if it is a small luncheon napkin or in half, lengthwise, if it is a large dinner napkin. Do not shake it open. The napkin rests on the lap until the end of the meal. Place the napkin in loose folds to the left of your plate. The host will signal the end of the meal by placing his or her napkin on the table. Once the meal is over, you too should place your napkin neatly on the table to the left of your dinner plate. Do not refold your napkin, but don't wad it up, either.

Formal Table Setting

A formal table setting can appear overwhelming but dont panic. Remember: eat to your left, drink to your right. Any food dish to the left is yours, and any glass to the right is yours. Starting with the knife, fork, or spoon that is farthest from your plate, work your way in, using one utensil for each course. The salad fork is on your outermost left, followed by your dinner fork. Your soup spoon is on your outermost right, followed by your beverage spoon, salad knife and dinner knife. Your dessert spoon and fork are above your plate or brought out with dessert. If you remember the rule to work from the outside in, you'll be fine.

When using the fork and knife to cut your food, cut the food by holding the knife in the right hand and the fork in the left hand with the fork tines piercing the food to secure it on the plate. Cut a few bite-size pieces of food, then lay your knife across the top edge of your plate with the sharp edge of the blade facing in. Change your fork from your left to your right hand to eat, fork tines facing up. If you are left-handed, keep your fork in your left hand, tines facing up. Using the Fork & Knife

Do not push your plate away from you or stack them up; leave plates and glasses where they are in the place setting To signal that your are done with the course, rest your fork, tines up, and knife blade in, with the handles resting at five o'clock and tips pointing to ten o'clock on your plate Any unused silverware is simply left on the table When You Have Finished

Be punctual; if there is an unavoidable delay, contact your host Keep up-to-date on current events in your industry so you can have appropriate conversations Remember, the meal is part of the interview Pass food from the left to the right Always say please when asking for something. Be sure to say thank you to your server and bus boy Never intercept a pass. Snagging a roll out of the breadbasket or taking a shake of salt when it is en route to someone else is a no-no Butter, spreads, or dips should be transferred from the serving dish to your plate before spreading or eating Never turn a wine glass upside down to decline wine. It is more polite to let the wine be poured and not draw attention. Otherwise, hold your hand over the wine glass to signal that you don't want any wine Taste your food before seasoning it Don't blow on your food to cool it off. If it is too hot to eat, take the hint and wait Keep elbows off the table. Keep your left hand in your lap unless you are using it

Do not talk with your mouth full. Chew with your mouth closed Cut only enough food for the next mouthful. Eat in small bites and slowly Turn off your cell phone or switch it to silent or vibrate before sitting down to eat, and leave it in your pocket or purse. If you must make or take a call, excuse yourself from the table and step outside Do not use a toothpick or apply makeup at the table At Networking Events: Make a goal to meet five new people in an hour Keep one hand free to shake hands Wait to eat until you are done meeting people When approaching a small group, introduce yourself; include new arrivals in the conversation

Berries: Generally, eat berries with a spoon, whether they have cream on them or not. Bread: Break slices of bread, rolls and muffins in half or in small pieces never larger than one bite. Butter each bite at a time. Small biscuits do not have to be broken. Never cut a roll with a knife. When the rolls are served in a basket, take one, and always pass the basket to your right. Never tear your roll in half or into many pieces. Use your own butter knife and the butter on your plate; buttering should be done on the plate or just above it. Clams and oysters in the half shell: Hold the shell with the left hand and lift the clam out using your oyster fork. Crab, shrimp and lobster cocktails: These are eaten with a cocktail fork. Fried Fantail Shrimp: Picked up by the tail and eaten with the fingers. Pasta or Spaghetti: The perfect method for eating spaghetti or other long stringy pasta is to twirl it around your fork. Use a spoon to help if needed. It is also acceptable to cut pasta with a knife and fork. Potatoes: If not already slit, cut across the top with a knife, open the potato wider with your fork, and add butter or sour cream and chives, salt, and pepper. You may eat the skin as you go along. Don't take the insides out and put the skin aside (or take the foil off).

Remember, your table manners will either give a good or bad impression of you. Practice the information presented at home and the next time you go out to eat. You should also take advantage of etiquette presentations here on campus or in the community. The more you practice the more comfortable youll be in professional dining settings.

References: Benet Business Network Bremer, Jill, AICI, CIP, Dining Etiquette for the Fast-food Generation, Dinning Etiquette Guide: Restaurant and Dinner Party Manners and Etiquette

Contact the Office of Career Services to schedule an appointment for a mock interview, discuss career options, or get assistance in writing your cover letter and resume, and other career-related matters. Monday, Wednesday 12-4:00pm Tuesday, Thursday 9:00am-1:00pm Friday 10:00am-12:00pm SBE, Suite 230 or