Corner Post

Don't be a Shishka-slob:
Tips in Dining Etiquette
By Drew Stewart, posted 4/13/06

Sure, you may boast to your pals about the number of burritos you can put down at Plaza 900, but when was the last time you considered how polite and proper your eating habits really are? Correct dining etiquette, much like a popular singer who doesn’t lip-synch, is becoming more and more devoid in American culture. It sometimes seems that there’s only one real rule left in dining: Don’t let your food choke you on the way down.

But not to fear. Under the guidance of executive chef Leslie Jett, I’ve compiled a number of invaluable tips that will easily turn any shiska-slob into a grade A diner. Just don’t forget to bring your bib.

General Dining Rules:

Always show up to dinner at least 10 minutes early.
It’s the host’s (the planner of the dinner) responsibility to inform the guests about what the dinner is for (business, networking, pleasure, etc.).
As soon as the napkins are taken off the table, dinner officially begins. Once all napkins come off laps, dinner is over.
To be excused, simply state, “please excuse me.”
If a dinner jacket is worn, it is proper to wear it throughout the entire meal.
If dinner has already started, then it is not required to stand up when a new party member arrives. However, if dinner hasn’t officially started, then it is.
Once a utensil is soiled, it is not to be returned to the tabletop (ex: if a salad fork gets dressing on it, it cannot be placed back on the table).
If improper dining etiquette is displayed by a fellow party member, it is not your responsibility to point it out.
The main objective of proper dining etiquette is to not draw attention to yourself.

Table set up:

From left to right, each seat should be set up as follows: dinner fork, salad fork, plate, knife, and spoon.
Drinks always rest on the right side of the plate. Bread plates rest to the left.
The dinner napkin should be folded and placed on the lap with the fold facing towards you.
Tucking a napkin in the shirt collar is only acceptable when eating lobster, ribs, or when eating on a plane.

During Dinner:

Always offer food to the left and pass food to the right.
Everyone has their “dancing space,” or their own personal dining area. Make sure not to invade anyone’s space by reaching over them to offer or receive food.
Avoid sensitive table topic, such as religion, politics, and personal health.
Always at least try a meal (never refuse to touch it).
Always eat entrees from the outside in.
If a piece of food is spit out, it goes back on the plate, preferably on the side closest to you.
Never snap your fingers at a server.
Hands are to be wiped on the inside of the folded napkin. The mouth is wiped with the bottom corner. This way, when the napkin is raised to wipe the mouth, no one will see the dirty side.
In the American dining style, when the meal is finished, the fork and knife are laid parallel to each other on the plate (with the fork placed above the knife).

Afterwards:

The host always pays for the meal.
Disposing of any trash on the table (sugar packets, napkins, etc.) is the responsibility of the servers.
Personal gratuity can only be added at the host’s approval.
The host is always the last one to leave the table.

Keeping in mind the etiquette tips you’ve learned today, you’ll have no problem impressing colleagues or business partners over a future meal. At the very least, you’ll look a little more proper when you dig into that next burrito.

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