Dining etiquette

1. Dining etiquette By: Maritza Sanchez Based on “The Little Book of Etiquette”

2. 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=unXKYK0uRJ8

3. Before the event: Dress code • The banquet will be FORMAL.

4. What does this mean? • For men this means… • Slacks • Button-up shirt • Tie, tie, tie. • Dress shoes • Jacket (optional)

9. What does this mean? • For women this means… • Slacks • Nice blouse • Dressy skirt • Formal Dress • Dress shoes

10. 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.

15. Questions?

16. May I have two volunteers?

17. 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 and 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.

18. 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.

19. Table setting http://www.onlinesterling.com/helpfulhints/formal-table-setting.htm

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. Questions?

24. Remember: • Always have good manners! • Thank you! • See you all at the banquet 