The Padre
Posts: 4,558 
Location: Ontario
Location: Ontario
January 17th, 2007, 06:50 AM
We all need to eat, but it is more than just a function of survival. Eating is a ritual, a social activity, and sometimes an event. Birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and other special times are commonly answered by Lets go out and celebrate! Whether or not you are celebrating something or someone, or are just having a regular meal at home with your family, there are some basic rules of engagement – or good table manners.
Presenting Yourself
Besides the cafeteria or the food court, you should dress for success. Those around you will notice and judge you by your actions. Showing up in sweaty gear while everyone else is in a suit and tie will not be appreciated.
Similarly, how you speak will also reveal the person within. Remember with whom you are sharing a meal. Speaking loudly is not necessary in most cases. They are only a few feet away. Keep your voice to the table – that is, the people at the tables around you really don't care about your conversation, and are likely trying to enjoy a conversation of their own.
What is that on my Plate?
If you are preparing the meal, you usually get to set the menu. Do keep in mind the dietary requirements and preferences of your guests. You may love a good slab of meat, but your guest(s) may not and it won't kill you to accommodate. If you are eating out with mixed company, eat what you like. On the other hand, if you order a steak while eating with a group of vegans, you may be asking for trouble. Use your better judgment.
If you are a guest at someone's home, or are a guest at an event that you are not paying for, never – and I meant never – say yuck or what the heck is that? It's not only rude, but you could seriously offend your host – or cause a scene. I've seen it happen.
If you don't know what something is, ask politely, then decide (to yourself) whether or not to have some.
Digging in
Unfold the napkin and place it over your lap. This is to catch the food that doesn't make it to you mouth. It also keeps it out of the way once it's been used.
Okay, let's say you've tried the food and don't like it. Now what? If it's still in your mouth, swallow it or wash it down. If you think something really bad is going to happen, very discretely use your napkin to wipe your mouth and remove it.
Shut your Face – in a nice way
This goes back to presentation. Your mom was right to tell you to eat with a closed mouth. Nobody wants to see food mashing around in there. If your head is congested and you can't breathe otherwise, then you may have an out – just try to keep it respectable.
Similarly, talking with your mouth full is also a big no-no. You likely can't speak well enough for people to understand you. Also, food tends to fall out of your mouth whether you realize it or not.
Tools
Cutlery is arranged so that the tools farthest from the plate are used first. Salad forks tend to be smaller, like dessert forks. Dessert spoons are smaller than soup spoons. Knives are either round-bladed for rolls, butter, and soft food, or knives are very sharp for cutting meat – and only meat. If you need to push food onto a fork, use the dull one.
Here are a few basic how-to's for cutlery:
Once you get the okay to dig in, let the ladies go first. Chivalry is not dead and feminism aside, the fairer sex still appreciates the gesture. No ladies? Then offer someone next to you the first serving.
If you are in a buffet line, keep it moving. If you're at a table, work with the stuff in front of you and pass it along. Nobody likes waiting for a dish on the other side of the table that nobody's passing around. Never reach way across the table – and certainly not over someone else's plate. This is the time to open your face and ask. Just make sure it's empty first.
Bodily Functions
Burping is not cool. Unless you are in peculiar cultural circumstances where it is okay, don't do it. If you burp by accident, excuse yourself. If you have another gaseous problem, politely remove yourself from the scene and remedy the situation in the bathroom.
by Edward Fenner, TheSoko.com
Before you chow down, have a look at the basic rules. We all need to eat, but it is more than just a function of survival. Eating is a ritual, a social activity, and sometimes an event. Birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and other special times are commonly answered by Lets go out and celebrate! Whether or not you are celebrating something or someone, or are just having a regular meal at home with your family, there are some basic rules of engagement – or good table manners.
Presenting Yourself
Besides the cafeteria or the food court, you should dress for success. Those around you will notice and judge you by your actions. Showing up in sweaty gear while everyone else is in a suit and tie will not be appreciated.
Similarly, how you speak will also reveal the person within. Remember with whom you are sharing a meal. Speaking loudly is not necessary in most cases. They are only a few feet away. Keep your voice to the table – that is, the people at the tables around you really don't care about your conversation, and are likely trying to enjoy a conversation of their own.
What is that on my Plate?
If you are preparing the meal, you usually get to set the menu. Do keep in mind the dietary requirements and preferences of your guests. You may love a good slab of meat, but your guest(s) may not and it won't kill you to accommodate. If you are eating out with mixed company, eat what you like. On the other hand, if you order a steak while eating with a group of vegans, you may be asking for trouble. Use your better judgment.
If you are a guest at someone's home, or are a guest at an event that you are not paying for, never – and I meant never – say yuck or what the heck is that? It's not only rude, but you could seriously offend your host – or cause a scene. I've seen it happen.
If you don't know what something is, ask politely, then decide (to yourself) whether or not to have some.
Digging in
Unfold the napkin and place it over your lap. This is to catch the food that doesn't make it to you mouth. It also keeps it out of the way once it's been used.
Okay, let's say you've tried the food and don't like it. Now what? If it's still in your mouth, swallow it or wash it down. If you think something really bad is going to happen, very discretely use your napkin to wipe your mouth and remove it.
Shut your Face – in a nice way
This goes back to presentation. Your mom was right to tell you to eat with a closed mouth. Nobody wants to see food mashing around in there. If your head is congested and you can't breathe otherwise, then you may have an out – just try to keep it respectable.
Similarly, talking with your mouth full is also a big no-no. You likely can't speak well enough for people to understand you. Also, food tends to fall out of your mouth whether you realize it or not.
Tools
Cutlery is arranged so that the tools farthest from the plate are used first. Salad forks tend to be smaller, like dessert forks. Dessert spoons are smaller than soup spoons. Knives are either round-bladed for rolls, butter, and soft food, or knives are very sharp for cutting meat – and only meat. If you need to push food onto a fork, use the dull one.
Here are a few basic how-to's for cutlery:
- Never use your fork to spear food from the serving dishes or someone else's plate. Always use the serving utensils provided – even for the last item available.
- If you don't know what that weird utensil does, watch how someone else uses. Not everyone knows what a clam shucker is.
- If you drop a fork at a restaurant, leave it and ask your server for another. Elsewhere, pick it up yourself and return it to the kitchen unless your host intervenes.
- If you are at a finger-food affair, thoroughly wash your hands before touching anything. Like poker, keep your hands where everyone can see them. If you touch your face, furnishings, or worst of all – cash – you have to start over again.
Once you get the okay to dig in, let the ladies go first. Chivalry is not dead and feminism aside, the fairer sex still appreciates the gesture. No ladies? Then offer someone next to you the first serving.
If you are in a buffet line, keep it moving. If you're at a table, work with the stuff in front of you and pass it along. Nobody likes waiting for a dish on the other side of the table that nobody's passing around. Never reach way across the table – and certainly not over someone else's plate. This is the time to open your face and ask. Just make sure it's empty first.
Bodily Functions
Burping is not cool. Unless you are in peculiar cultural circumstances where it is okay, don't do it. If you burp by accident, excuse yourself. If you have another gaseous problem, politely remove yourself from the scene and remedy the situation in the bathroom.
Member
Posts: 203
Location: Ontario
Location: Ontario
January 17th, 2007, 09:05 AM
Quoting Tonington
Question to any man, when a group of men eat out together, do they exercise table manners amongst themselves? Or would it be considered "unmanly" or "sissy" to do so?
I didn't see anything about placing your free hand on your lap when it's not being used, that's what I was taught anyways.
And an aside to the reach, when clinking wine glasses together, also not proper to reach far across the table.
And an aside to the reach, when clinking wine glasses together, also not proper to reach far across the table.
World Police
Posts: 4,440
Videos: 1
Location: toranna
Videos: 1
Location: toranna
January 17th, 2007, 09:10 AM
Quoting darleneonfire
If I am at a bar with male friends, I do not hesitate to let one rip.
Question to any man, when a group of men eat out together, do they exercise table manners amongst themselves? Or would it be considered "unmanly" or "sissy" to do so?
January 17th, 2007, 09:40 AM
Quoting darleneonfire
For me that actually depends on which group of friends I'm out with. Not because of manliness or anything, just that with certain groups of friends I tend to go to certain types of places, but generally I exercise my manners. I've actually developed a method of burping that's silent, if I really have to. Otherwise I'll rattle the windows.
Question to any man, when a group of men eat out together, do they exercise table manners amongst themselves? Or would it be considered "unmanly" or "sissy" to do so?
Steven Hawking's Tutor
Posts: 4,995
Location: Florida, Hurricane Central
Location: Florida, Hurricane Central
January 17th, 2007, 08:12 PM
Quoting darleneonfire
Sissy!
Question to any man, when a group of men eat out together, do they exercise table manners amongst themselves? Or would it be considered "unmanly" or "sissy" to do so?
