Table Manners - Ultimate How-To Guide To Proper Dining Etiquette For Adults & Children

Welcome back to the Knight's Gazette. Today's video is about

table

manners

. We provide you with the

ultimate

guide

to basic

dining

etiquette

so you don't embarrass yourself and move forward in life. This is the first part of an ongoing series on

etiquette

, so check out the other videos in our playlist. Table

manners

are actually something your parents taught you, but they are actually much more important when you are an adult. First of all, your

table

manners say a lot about your refinement and are often interpreted as a sign of character. This is not at all about being snobby or showing off but rather about showing respect, your host and

dining

companions will greatly appreciate your manners.

Good table manners are a test of your social skills and are therefore often part of an interview process for high-level positions or people with whom you have a lot of customer contact. The other day I spoke to an entrepreneur, he only hires people after having lunch, dinner and drinks with them because he wants to see how they react in different situations. Without

proper

manners, he surely won't get the job. Table manners will also help you not to embarrass yourself or attract any negative attention to yourself. Last but not least, table manners make other people feel comfortable in your presence and therefore help maintain the flow of conversation and entertainment, which is the main part of dining together with other people. .

It is very important to keep in mind that

proper

table manners will always help you and will never hurt you. The good thing is that they can be learned and it is never too late to do so. So what are table manners? Basically it's the reactions and behavior at the dining table. Nowadays, you encounter many informal situations at meals, but that never means that table manners are not necessary or appropriate. For example, a barbecue should never be an excuse to chew with your mouth open and make noises like a pig. After all, we are all civilized people.

The do's and don'ts we discuss in today's video apply to all basic dining situations involving cutlery. For more in-depth situations, about very formal dinners with multiple courses with lots of silver and glassware, stay tuned for another video. Plus, before you can sit down at the dining table, there's usually an invitation, an RSVP, a gift, and we cover the whole before and after of our etiquette rules in a different video. Let's focus on what happens when you sit down at the table. I suggest you turn off your cell phone ringer when you enter someone else's home and keep your phone in your pocket when you are with guests.

Don't leave your phone on the table because you're much more likely to pick it up and look at it, which is rude in the presence of other people. If the table is set, you don't just walk in and sit down. Wait to be seated or wait for the host's line, or if they sit, you can sit too. The ideal is to sit upright but comfortably, not slouch, cross your arms, or sit as you would on the couch while watching a soccer game. Don't expect to sit next to your partner and follow the hosts' lead. Traditionally, couples always mixed together to sit with different people; a lot of times, man, woman, man, woman, just to create an interesting way to stimulate conversation.

If there is a napkin on the plate or next to a plate, place it on your lap immediately. If the host or hostess wants to say thank you, accept the gesture for what it is and move on. At the same time, don't offer to say thank you yourself because people may not be religious at all. Two, let's take a look at the venue setup. In the Western world, in a casual setting there will always be at least one plate, a knife and a fork. If dessert is served, you will find a small fork or spoon on top of the plate.

If soup or anything else that requires a spoon is served, you will also have a spoon. At more formal dinners, the cutlery can be much more elaborate with multiple sets of cutlery and a general rule of thumb is to always work from the outside in, but we'll talk a lot more about that in our formal dinner

guide

video. a look here. At the top right of the plate, you will probably find a glass of water that is always full and a glass of wine that is empty to begin with. Sometimes you also find beer glasses; if you prefer, if that is what is served with the meal.

If you see a small plate with an extra knife on the top left of your plate, that's for bread and butter. Again, the cutlery is arranged from the outside to the inside, so you see two forks and two knives, which means you start with the outermost fork and knife; It is usually for the appetizer or the initial dish. When you are done with the course, place your fork and knife at a four to five o'clock angle, which means you are done. If you haven't finished eating yet, you can have it in this position or that position, that indicates that you haven't finished eating yet.

Do not return used cutlery on the tablecloth or table and simply place it on the plate so it can be removed. Believe me, your host thought about it and put together the place setting and everything has a reason. In US restaurants, you are often found with two forks on the left and a knife on the right; In that case, use the outermost fork on the left and the knife on the right to eat your main dish and then ask for a new knife, whether it's a steak knife or a regular knife for your main dish. Three, now it's time to serve the food.

Most casual dinners are family style, meaning there are bowls or platters where the food is served. For formal dinners, dishes are usually plated, but we talk about the intricacies of this in our video on formal dinner etiquette here. With bowls and anything on the table, the cardinal rule is not to reach over anyone or touch them. To start, pass the bowl around the table from left to right. When you receive the bowl, you hold it and serve yourself and then pass it to your neighbor on the right. Always use serving utensils and never cutlery that is in place.

Of course, if the host or hostess has a different idea, follow what they do. If you like seconds later or want salt, just ask for it and don't reach for it unless it's right in front of you. If someone asks you for salt or pepper, always give them both together. When you serve yourself be reasonable, you can count how many people are at the table and everyone wants something so don't pile it on your plate. You never want to take more than your share and keep in mind that there will probably be seconds. Always keep an open mind about the food being served, even if you think you don't like something, the hosts probably put a lot of effort into the food and you should always at least try it.

Just put a little bit on your plate and taste; If you have severe food allergies, you should let your host know before preparing dinner so they can make arrangements. Four, it's finally time to eat. You should only begin eating when everyone else has been served and a host or hostess begins to pick up the fork and take the initiative. It is very rude and sometimes even rude to simply eat your plate of food while others are still empty-handed. When it comes to eating with money, there are basically two schools of thought. One is the American style and the other is the continental style.

American style, you hold the fork in your right hand and eat that way. If you cut something, you transfer the fork to your left hand and have the knife in your right hand. When you have finished cutting, place the knife on top of the plate or on a knife rest if available and then transfer the fork from left to right again and eat. Because it is back and forth, it is also known as the zigzag method. On the other hand, with the Continental method, you hold a fork in your left hand and a knife in your right.

That way, there are no back and forth changes. Both the American and continental methods are perfectly acceptable. Personally, I prefer the Continental version simply because I don't have to switch back and forth and can focus more on the conversation instead of having to pay attention to my plate. Even within the continental school of thought, there are differences in the way food is put into the mouth. Basically you hold the fork, you hold it with your left hand more like a pencil, however when you switch to cutting something you rotate the fork 180 degrees. For example, if you cut a piece of meat, you can leave the fork in a cutting position and move it directly to your mouth so that it is curved downward, or you can switch it up and bring the fork to your mouth with the side facing up. .

Both styles are acceptable when it comes to spooning. Basically, anything served in a bowl or Boolean cup should be eaten with a spoon. The key is to feel comfortable with whatever method you use. It should always seem simple; feel free to practice it at home until it has truly become a part of you so you never have to think twice. So the big question is what to do with the elbows? As a general rule, do not put your elbows on the table when you are eating because it is considered rude, it is better to leave your wrists on the table when you are chewing or if you follow the American method, you can also keep your hand. on your lap now between courses or if you have a conversation afterwards, it's okay to have your elbows on the table, just make sure your body language is engaged and not hunched over.

When eating in company, rhythm is very important. The goal is to have a fluid conversation and that is why you should not eat too slow or too fast. Something I sometimes have trouble with is speed; I eat too fast so the company really helps me slow down and strike up a conversation that way I can enjoy the food and the company at the same time. A good indicator is always the people around you or your host or hostess, so don't be too fast either. or too slow as a general rule cut pieces of food as you eat them do not cut everything before and then eat it piece by piece that is just something you would do for a small child not for an adult also take small bites and chew them and swallow them completely before taking the next bite.

Always eat with your mouth closed and avoid making noises when chewing. Years ago I used to eat a lot more salt than I do now, so I always made assumptions about food and salted it a lot before trying it, don't be that one, why? If a hiring manager sees you putting salt on your food before you try it, it will lead them to believe that you are making assumptions rather than making fact-based decisions and you will be less likely to get the job, even in a personal setting, it can be a disrespect. just salt your food without having tried it first, of course if you have tried a food that is under seasoned to your liking, ask for salt and pepper and it should be better.

Now is also a good time to compliment the host or their table arrangements, their food could be their choice of wine or something you really like, make sure you are sincere because otherwise people will notice if you Someone asks you a question while you are still chewing, finish chewing and then answer. Likewise, don't ask questions of others while they are still chewing, because you could put them in an uncomfortable situation for you by chewing for 10 to 15 seconds, which creates awkward pauses. If bread is served with dinner, it is probably served in a basket in a bowl and you pass it like any other roll from left to right.

If you take the bowl, take a piece of bread, put it on your plate and pass it or return it to its place most of the time butter is served with bread put a little butter on your plate with a butter knife that be clean never use a knife or cutlery that has been used depending on the country you are in. In the United States, eating bread can also be different. Most people butter the bread all over, then pick it up with their hand, take a bite, and return the bread. In Germany, for example, that would be a false step.

Instead, you would take a piece of bread, break it with your hand, put a little piece of butter from your plate on the bread, eat it, and then continue breaking the bread and butter. and then eat it, so if you travel abroad, be aware of cultural differences and try to be aware of and respect them. If you end up with excess food in your mouth, use a napkin on your lap to wipe it away immediately. Make sure you always only use one napkin and stick with it, otherwise you will stain your clothes if something gets stuck between your teeth don't just sit there use a toothpick or try to clean it when there are other people there the worst thing you can do is wait Take your napkin off hand and try to get rid of it using your finger and it might make strange noises.

Instead, excuse yourself, go to the bathroom, make yourself presentable, maybe use a toothpick if one is available. In Germany, toothpicks are not somethingcommonly found on a table. If you need to use them, it is always safer not to do so in public or at the table. So how should you excuse yourself if you have to leave because you are expecting an urgent call? and you have to go to the bathroom, just say excuse me, I'll be right back, please don't explain why you have to go, what the reason is or that you just had four beers earlier and that you really have to pee, that's just not the case. an appropriate conversation at that moment, so as you get up from your chair, fold the napkin and place it to the left on your plate or on the chair.

No, you don't need to fold it like before, just make sure it looks neat. Also push your chair. Again, my wife always gets upset with me if I don't put my chair back, if you ever have to get up from the table make sure to keep it short and five minutes max, otherwise it's very rude and impolite to stay away from her. longer than that. Now, everything said here are some things you should never do when eating, never use your fingers to eat the food off the plate or especially put your last piece of food on the fork, use a knife instead.

I see a lot of people make that mistake, but it's completely unnecessary because you have all the utensils at your disposal. Also, you never lick your fingers, fork or plate afterwards, even if it is really very tasty. Don't use a fork to cut something. I see it time and time again where people are too lazy to pick up the knife and then just try to push it down, but it shows that you don't have good table manners. flatten your food. I clearly remember that my grandfather always destroyed everything and flattened it on his table because he wanted his food to cool down faster so he could eat it faster;

It just looks bad and creates a bad vibe. Now that we're talking about eating a lot, eating, and drinking, as a general rule, you should never drink unless your host has raised a glass in a toast or has begun drinking themselves. You usually toast with wine or champagne, maybe beer, but definitely not water or soda. If there are stemmed glasses on the table, you should hold them by the stem. Don't let the host or other guests dictate the amount of alcohol you drink. drinks you know your limits and it's okay to say no, thank you or just not continue drink your glass even if it's still full or half full, don't waste it and keep your consumption moderate.

You don't want to be the weird guy who gets hit when invited to dinner because it will probably be the last invitation for you. Generally, you shouldn't order more wine or beer. A good host will notice that your glass is empty and will offer you more if he has more now, as I said before, the main purpose of dining and having company is to have a good conversation, etc. your body language and the way you converse are very important it all starts with your voice moderate the volume so as not to shout because that can be very unpleasant let other people finish talking and ask interesting questions and then listen if you behave well and are very entertaining You can even end with a compliment.

If you want to learn how to accept one gracefully, watch this video here. At the end of a meal, simply fold the napkin and place it next to your plate, never put it on the plate. Now most people will never report bad table manners in person, however, it will reflect poorly on you and you may not be invited back or your invitations may be declined now that you are equipped with this knowledge of table etiquette. table; You probably know more than the average person, however, that doesn't mean you should punish others for their table manners or, worse yet, criticize the host or tell them what to do especially in a public place because it's too embarrassing instead of That's it, always be kind, be generous, ask questions, listen, be kind and smile.

In today's video I'm wearing two suits, separate the jacket from one which is a brown and blue Prince of Wales. plaid and a pair of blue pants from another suit together work quite well. I'm pairing them with another pair of brown Oxfords that are half brogues with a hand finished patina. I tie it all together with a pair of brown and light blue socks, one from Fort Belvedere that will pick up the color of the jacket and separate the shoes from the pants. My shirt is plain white with a classic color and button cuffs. My tie is made of English silk and the pattern ties my shirt together just like the pattern on my jacket provides enough contrast and the pattern stands out from the background the tie is from Fort Belvedere I designed it and you can find it in our store here as does the pocket square that is also from Fort Belvedere I chose a burgundy color that picks up the blue and yellow tones of the tie, the jacket and the shoes as well as the pants and I chose a silk wool combination that unites the flannel material of the jacket with the shiny or silk texture of the tie on my right ring finger I wear a gold ring with a dark star sapphire that changes appearance with the light if you liked this video give us a thumbs up and ring a bell for more videos inbox