DINING ETIQUETTE By Maritza Sanchez Based on The

DINING ETIQUETTE By: Maritza Sanchez Based on “The Little Book of Etiquette”

FIRST AND FOREMOST “The world was my oyster but I used the wrong fork. ” Oscar Wilde Irish writer and poet http: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=un. XKYK 0 u. RJ 8

BEFORE THE EVENT: DRESS CODE The banquet will be FORMAL.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? For men this means… Slacks Button-up shirt Tie, tie. Dress shoes Jacket (optional)

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? For women this means… Slacks Nice blouse Dressy skirt Formal Dress shoes

But ladies keep in mind, the most appropriate outfits… do not involve strapless tops or dresses and are at least knee-length. An easy fix… Put a jacket or cardigan over your top or dress. Wear tights or leggings underneath your skirt or dress.

Questions?

May I have two volunteers?

THE HAND SHAKE Before the handshake. • Stand up • Make eye contact and introduce yourself. • Smile, it doesn’t hurt. During the handshake. • Extend your right hand adjust it so that it is straight and perpendicular to the floor. • Keep the eye contact and take their hand. • Have a firm grip and move in an up and down direction. (try not to do it more than three times) • Release by loosing the grip and slowly pulling your hand back.

APPROACHING THE TABLE • Always enter your chair from the right and exit to your right. • Only open your chair far enough for you to be able to get in. • Place any belongings underneath you, close to your feet. Avoid putting them beside your chair or on the back of your seat. • Do not place phones, keys, or any smaller items on the table.

TABLE SETTING http: //www. onlinesterling. com/helpfulhints/formal-tablesetting. htm

AT THE TABLE • Once seated place your napkin on your lap with the fold towards you. If you leave the table place the napkin in an empty place next to your plate. • In general you only begin eating after the host has picked up their utensil and began eating. • Move from outside in with your utensils. • When pausing between bites, place your utensils on the upper part of your plate with your fork upside down, over your knife in a “V” shape. With the fork pointing diagonally right and the knife pointing diagonally left. • When finished place your utensils on the bottom right of your plate and pointing towards the top left.

THINGS TO AVOID • Don’t talk with your mouth full, take small bites and don’t chew with your mouth open. • Don’t slouch, try to sit up straight. • Don’t place your elbows on the table and don’t spread them when cutting meat. • Don’t saw your meat with your knife. • Don’t blow on your food, wait patiently for it to cool off. • Don’t announce you need to use the restroom, just say “Excuse Me”. • Don’t reach across the table to get something. Kindly ask someone to pass it to you.

MORE THINGS TO AVOID • • • Don’t push your plate away when you are finished. Don’t pick your teeth or mop your face with a napkin. Don’t gesture with any utensils in your hand. Don’t look over your glass when drinking, look into it. Don’t take a sip of your drink until you have swallowed your food. • Don’t apply cosmetics or take medicine at the table, excuse yourself and go to the restroom.

Questions?

Remember: Always have good manners! Thank you! See you all at the banquet