Social Etiquette Tip of the Week - Pass The Salt Please!
In today’s fast paced world many people have forgotten, or were never taught, the basics of dining etiquette. When do I touch my napkin? How do I pass? What is the charger for?
Knowing the basics of dining etiquette is very empowering because it allows you to relax and enjoy your dinner. Following are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about dining.
Your napkin goes in your lap, folded in half, as soon as you sit down. Some people will wait until the food is served, but the proper form is to be prepared.
The charger plates are purely decorative and are used to enhance the look of the table. Food should never be placed directly on them! Chargers are usually removed prior to serving of the first course. In instances when the appetizer or salad course is served on top of a charger it is removed together with those plates and prior to serving of the dinner course.
If you are asked to pass the salt or pepper pass both of them together even if the request is for only one of them. This prevents others at the table having to search for orphaned shakers during dinner.
Pass from the left to the right.
Set the passed item, whether it's the salt and pepper, the breadbasket or the butter, directly on the table, don’t pass hand to hand.
Never intercept an item being passed. Grabbing a roll out of the breadbasket or taking a quick shake of salt when it is en route to someone else is a definite no-no.
Never flip over the coffee cup or glassware that you won't be using. If a beverage is offered during the meal that you don't want, simply hold your hand over the cup/glass and say, "No thank you."
If you must leave the table during the meal place your napkin on your chair, never on the table, and push your chair under the table.
Never push your dishes away from you or stack them on top of one another for the waiter. Leave all plates and glasses where they are.
To signal that you have finished eating lay your utensils side by side diagonally on the plate.
At the end of the meal, and when everyone has finished eating, place your napkin on the table to the left of your plate, but if the meal is being hosted wait for the host to initiate this action.
Bon Appétit!
Knowing the basics of dining etiquette is very empowering because it allows you to relax and enjoy your dinner. Following are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about dining.
Your napkin goes in your lap, folded in half, as soon as you sit down. Some people will wait until the food is served, but the proper form is to be prepared.
The charger plates are purely decorative and are used to enhance the look of the table. Food should never be placed directly on them! Chargers are usually removed prior to serving of the first course. In instances when the appetizer or salad course is served on top of a charger it is removed together with those plates and prior to serving of the dinner course.
If you are asked to pass the salt or pepper pass both of them together even if the request is for only one of them. This prevents others at the table having to search for orphaned shakers during dinner.
Pass from the left to the right.
Set the passed item, whether it's the salt and pepper, the breadbasket or the butter, directly on the table, don’t pass hand to hand.
Never intercept an item being passed. Grabbing a roll out of the breadbasket or taking a quick shake of salt when it is en route to someone else is a definite no-no.
Never flip over the coffee cup or glassware that you won't be using. If a beverage is offered during the meal that you don't want, simply hold your hand over the cup/glass and say, "No thank you."
If you must leave the table during the meal place your napkin on your chair, never on the table, and push your chair under the table.
Never push your dishes away from you or stack them on top of one another for the waiter. Leave all plates and glasses where they are.
To signal that you have finished eating lay your utensils side by side diagonally on the plate.
At the end of the meal, and when everyone has finished eating, place your napkin on the table to the left of your plate, but if the meal is being hosted wait for the host to initiate this action.
Bon Appétit!
Comment
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Comment by Val Filipski on July 17, 2009 at 5:46pm
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Great reminders, Maria! It looks like my mother did a good job of teaching me my Ps and Qs.
Didn't know about the passing of BOTH salt and pepper but it makes sense especially since I just experienced the "orphaning" at a breakfast this morning.
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Comment by Jo-Ann Hillman on July 17, 2009 at 11:31am
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Always good to have a few 'heads up' reminders... Thanks, Maria!
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