1. DINING ETIQUETTE

2. DINING MANNERS
What is the Difference between Eating and
Dining ?
Dining is an art !
When you eat, you only please the palate.

3. GENERAL DINING ETIQUETTE
 Punctuality
Be on time - no one wants to be
kept waiting.
If it is an unavoidable delay, try to
contact the person.
 Greeting and Introduction
A good and firm handshake is
important.

4. TABLE SETTINGS

5. NAPKIN
 Place your napkin on your lap after everyone at your
table has been seated.
 Do not open your napkin in mid-air.
 When a meal is completed, place your napkin to the
right of your plate - never on the plate.

6. ORDERING
 Follow your host's lead. 
 If you are guest, avoid being
explorative.
 Don’t take a long time to
order.
 Consider asking your
host/hostess for a
recommendation before
making your decision.

7. SERVING
 Wait for everyone at your
table to be served before
beginning to eat.
 Eat slowly while waiting
for their food to be
served.

8. UTENSILS
 Two acceptable ways to
use the knife and fork:
ContinentalFashion
American Standard
 Do not make a fist
around the utensils
 Do not use both hands
simultaneously to hold
utensils and cups.

9. HANDLING UTENSILS

10. AMERICAN STANDARD
Rest Position
Finish Position

11. CONTINENTAL FASHION
Rest Position Finish Position

12. THE ‘PASS’
 Do not reach across the table for an
item - politely ask the person next to
you to pass.
 Pass “community food” such as the
breadbasket, salt and pepper, and
salad dressing to the right.
 Pass it with the handle pointing
towards the recipient

13. SOUP & BREAD
 When eating soup, think of making a circle: Spoon away
from you, bring around to your mouth and back to the
bowl.
 Soup is taken from the side of the soup spoon - it is not
inserted into your mouth.

14. SEASONINGS & SWEETENERS
 Always taste your food first before using any seasonings.
Do not assume it needs to be seasoned.
 The rule of thumb is no more than two packets per
meal.

15. EATING
 Wait for the host to start eating or
to signal you to eat.
 Toothpicks should be used
discreetly and in private; not at
the table.
 When sharing a plate of chips or
veggies with a dip or sauce with
others, apply the “Single Dip
Rule” - that is, dip only once

16. FINGER FOODS
Sandwiches

17. WINE ETIQUETTE
 Sample Before You
Order.
 Politely signal the waiter
alone if you don’t want
them.
 Don’t go for alcoholic
beverages in a
professional situation.

18. PAYING THE BILL
 You should prearrange how the bill is being paid.
 If being treated by someone, always thank them.
 Remember to tip your waiter appropriately: 15% for
moderate service; 20% for excellent service.