The Importance of table manners
Eating good quality food is something that most gents truly enjoy. As discussed previously, knowing how to host a dinner party can be a fun and exciting alternative to ordering a takeaway. However, it is important to prepare for such a task and it is equally important to know how to eat politely in front of others. People often create an opinion of us by the way we eat, talk and dress but many men neglect learning proper dinner table etiquette…and it shows.
This guide will run through a few key points on how to have good table manners and give you the tools needed to impress at a dinner party.
Know what the setting is and who will be dining
If you are not the host, make sure that you reply promptly to any invitation. Ask the host about the setting and who else is going. If you are unsure, it is worth checking whether it will be formal, informal, seated or none seated. The worst thing to do is turn up to someone’s humble abode dressed in a t-shirt and jogging bottoms when the rest of the guests look down at you in their nicely tailored suits.
Consider bringing a small token of your appreciation for the host’s hard work such as a bottle of wine or even dessert for after the meal. You should plan to get to their house with ten minutes to spare. Don’t arrive too early though, as the host may be doing last minute preparations.
Informal
Whether it is a seated or none seated setting, it is still worth making an effort to look the part. Consider wearing some good quality jeans and a shirt, as your host will appreciate the extra few minutes you took to get ready. This will make you feel more comfortable compared to wearing an old football top that already has a couple of stains on it. The person opposite will most likely spot them. You don’t want them staring at your top more than they look at their food!
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Formal
When going to a formal dinner party, it is important to dress appropriately and understand the etiquette of dining so that no one is offended. In some instances, a suit jacket, t-shirt and nice pair of men’s jeans is perfect attire, at formal occasions it may be better to follow the suit and tie rule. It is always worth checking with the host, so that when you attend a dinner party you don’t feel under overdressed.
When to start eating
Don’t dive straight into the food on the table. Wait until everyone has received their food or if there is a large amount of people, wait until at least four people have received their food so that your dish does not go cold. If someone wants to bless the table before eating, also wait until they have finished praying before digging in. It is important not to make a bad impression from having crumbs around your face, in your soup strainer or acting desperate for food like you haven’t eaten for a week.
Table manners for eating soup
Soup tends to be a concern for some because of the noise made when it is being eaten. A good technique is to not over fill your spoon and place the entire spoon in your mouth, which will help you to avoid spilling and being classed as a ‘slurper’. Once nearing the end of your bowl, it is polite to tilt your bowl away from you as you spoon the remaining soup.
Eating with your hands
Beware of your posture, as it is tempting to slouch over when eating with your hands. Do not over take your neighbour’s space and intrude on their dining experience. Make sure your elbows are within your own area and try not to dip them into anyone else’s soup! Avoid reaching over someone else’s food to get to the salt or pepper, just play it safe and ask if they can pass it to you. It’s also easy to let your manners slip when using your hands compared to cutlery, but remember to be courteous of others and don’t lick your fingers clean. Also try not to use your phone throughout the dinner as the people around you may think it is quite rude instead of socialising.
Speaking
Prevent yourself from speaking when your mouth is full. The last straw when dining is spitting food at someone else or vice versa. Either wait until you have finished swallowing your food or respectfully point to your mouth so that any person speaking to you knows they will have to give you a few extra seconds before you respond.
When you’re finished
Use a napkin to wipe your mouth rather than your hand. Just because you have mastered the ‘wipe your face and lick your hand technique’ as a child, doesn’t mean other people will find that very charming. If you have finished your food and don’t want anymore, place your knife and fork on the plate in the 4:20 position. Finally, remember this is just a loose guide so enjoy eating great food, talking with others and getting to know everyone a little better. Have fun and impress others with your dining etiquette, showing that you are a well-rounded gent.
About Douglas Smythe
