Table manners are important in both professional and social situations, so it's a good idea to know some basics. There may be
some slight variations, depending on your region and what is locally acceptable. So if you are at a dinner party, pay close
attention to the host or hostess and take cues from them.
     Whether no one ever taught you dining etiquette or you've forgotten what you learned, here are some tips to show that you
know how to behave at the table. Using proper etiquette at the table will also help you socially and professionally in a
restaurant or in someone's home.
    Table Etiquette is a visible signal of the state of your manners and are therefore essential to personal and professional
success. Whether you are eating your meals at home, in school, in the workplace and in other public places, your table
etiquette speaks volume about you. It plays an important part in making a favorable impression.
Objectives:
1. Define and discuss the meaning and importance of table manners.
2. Describe and examine the things to remember in table setting and table manners.
3. Translate by exhibiting the knowledge and skills learned in table manners.
Table Setting and Table Etiquette
Dining Out
      Although dining out has become more casual, it still isn't acceptable to talk with your mouth full of food, rock the table with
your elbows, or interfere with other diners' experiences by displaying improper etiquette. It's important to follow certain
manners guidelines in both formal settings and fast food restaurants.
      Before the Dinner
      If you are invited to have dinner with someone, it is always a good idea to respond, even if an RSVP is not requested. This
helps with planning. Don’t ask if you can bring extra guests if the invitation doesn’t make the offer. However, if your family is
invited to someone’s home for dinner, it is okay to ask if your children are included. If they are, make sure your children know
good manners before they go.
      Getting Started
1. Some dinner parties are formal and have place cards where the host or hostess wants you to sit.
2. If not, ask if there are seating preferences.
3. Wait until the host sits before you do.
4. In some cultures, a blessing will be said.
5. Even if you don’t follow the beliefs of the prayer, show respect and be silent.
6. If the host offers a toast, lift your glass. It is not necessary to “clink” someone else’s glass.
      Napkin
1. As soon as you sit down, turn to your host or hostess and take a cue for when to begin.
2. Once the host unfolds his or her napkin, you should remove your napkin from the table or plate, and place it on your lap.
3. If you are dining out, you should place your napkin in your lap immediately after you sit down.
4. Keep your napkin in your lap until you are finished eating.
5. If you must get up at any time during the meal and plan to return, place the napkin on either side of your plate.
5. After you are finished, place your napkin on the table to the left of your plate.
  When to Eat
1. If you are eating out, you should wait until all
the members of your group have been served
before picking up your fork.
2. At a private dinner, observe the host or
hostess and pick up your fork when he or she
does.
3. However, if you are at a buffet, you may start
when there are others seated at your table.
      Silverware
1. One of the most common issues to confuse
today’s diners is which utensil to use for each
course.
2. A typical rule of thumb is to start with the
utensil that is farthest from your plate and work
your way toward the center of your place setting.
3. If you see the host or hostess doing something
different, you may follow his or her lead.
4. The important thing is to remain as
inconspicuous as possible. You don't want to call
negative attention to yours
Formal Table Setting
      All rules of table manners, are made to avoid ugliness. Mealtime is enjoyable when the table is neat and orderly; food is well
prepared and taken gracefully and quietly, and everyone is ready to share in a happy and relaxing conversation.
•     Complete Formal Setting on the right side with meat, fish or sea food servings.
•    Red wine is served with meat or poultry meals like chicken. White wine for seafoods including fish.
REMEMBER:
Be it formal or simple table set up remember this general rule when to place your utensils and food. 
•    All utensils set to the right are for liquid (drink from).
•    All utensils set to the left are for the solid (eat from). 
LET US GET STARTED 
• Start on the Outside and Work Your Way In
• Generally, you can follow utensil placement in order from the one farthest from the plate and work your way inward.
• Forks go on the left, with the salad fork first, and then the dinner fork beside the plate.
• On the right side of the plate, you will find the knife, appetizer or salad knife, spoon, soup spoon, and oyster fork.
• The knife blades should be positioned with the cutting sides closest to the plate.
• The fork and knife closest to the plate are for eating your main course.
• The dessert fork or spoon in most cases will be placed parallel or diagonal to the edge of the table near the top of your plate.
• In some cases, it may be set on the empty dessert plate.
• Not all formal place settings will have all the flatware mentioned; you will only find it if you will need it for one of the courses.

Simple Table Setting

Simple or Casual Table setting. Knife and table napkin is optional.
Simple Breakfast table setting. Note the handle of the coffee cup is always to the right, unless of course the one receiving it is
left handed, then the handle must be twisted to the left.
   

Table Etiquette
Be Aware of Proper Eating Techniques:
1. If you want to appear savvy, knowing how to eat with the utensils is important during a formal dinner.
2. Place the fork in the hand you normally eat or write with.
3. The American way to cut meat is to place the fork in the other hand to secure the meat in place and place the knife in your
coordinated hand to cut the meat.
4. Then put down the knife and switch the fork to your regular hand to lift the bite-sized pieces to your mouth.
5. The British way to cut and eat meat is to not switch the fork, but to lift the meat to your mouth with the fork in the hand
you don’t normally use.
6. This saves the step of switching hands each time you need to cut the meat.
7. When taking your soup, you should use the bowl-shaped or larger oval spoon.
8. Keep the soup bowl firmly on the table; never lift or tilt it.
9. Scoop the soup away from you starting at the center of the bowl.
10. Bring the spoon to your mouth and tilt it while sipping soup from the edge.
11. You should never make a slurping noise when eating soup.
12. Resist the urge to lift the bowl to drink the last few drops that can't be scooped with the spoon.
13. Bread is finger food, so don't use your fork to eat it.
14. Instead of cutting it, tear off bite-sized pieces and butter them one or two bites at a time.
15. Slathering an entire slice of bread is awkward and will give away your lack of understanding of proper table manners. It
can also be very messy
Additional Tips
1. When you are eating at a formal dinner, remember that the utensils are the tools.
2. Each one has a purpose, and if you learn what that is, you shouldn’t have any problems.
3. At some informal gatherings, it is OK to eat chicken or pork chops with your hands. However, that isn’t the case at formal
dinners. You should always use your fork.
4. Don’t use your utensils to point or gesture during conversation.
5. When you drink water, tea, coffee, wine, or any other beverage, put down your utensils before picking up the glass or cup.
6. After you use each utensil, rest it on the edge of your plate; don’t put it back in the lineup.
7. Remember that if you make a mistake, most people probably won’t know as long as you don’t call it to their attention. In
fact, if you look around the table and watch others, you may find that you know as much or more about formal dinner etiquette
than most.
8. Avoid calling others out on improper etiquette because that shows worse manners than using the wrong fork.
9. It's more gracious to focus on your own etiquette and not worry about others.

Finger Food and Others

 Asparagus  Bacon
 Fruits  Cheese
 Pizza  Chips
 Shrimp  Chicken
 Most  Corn on the Cob
Appetizers  French Fries

Asparagus
1. This long, skinny, green spear confuses even the most prominent etiquette experts.
2. Some say it’s okay to eat with your fingers, while others say you should slice it in half and eat it with a fork.
3. Some people choose to take the middle ground and say that it’s fine to eat it with your fingers as long as it’s firm.
4. However, if you find your asparagus soggy or limp, eat it with your fork.

Fruits
1. Whole, raw pieces of fruit are generally eaten with the fingers.
2. However, once it is cooked, use the utensil closest to it.
3. A fruit cocktail, even when the fruit is uncooked, should be eaten with a spoon or fork.
4. If the fruit is in any type of syrup or juice, use a fork to prevent making a mess.
Pizza
1. There is no doubt that pizza is finger food.
2. However, if the piece you selected is heavy with toppings, you may choose to use a fork.
3. It’s better to be a little more formal in a casual environment than to wind up with a pizza sauce stain on the front of
your shirt.

Shrimp
1. The method of eating shrimp is determined by several factors.
2. If they are served in a cocktail sauce with a small fork resting on the side of the plate, use the fork.
3. Shrimp with tails on a serving platter should be eaten with your fingers.
4. Hold the tail, dip it in the sauce, bite off the edible part of the shrimp, and discard in the dish or bowl provided by
the hostess.
5. Shrimp on a skewer should be slid off the stick and eaten with a fork.

Most Appetizers
1. Unless you are offered a fork when appetizers are served, they can be eaten with your fingers.
2. This includes deviled eggs, roll-ups, vegetables with dip, olives, pickles, and crackers.
3. Use serving utensils rather than your hands to pick up food from the serving platters at an appetizer buffet.
4. If appetizers are served on toothpicks or skewers, pick them up by the stick.

Bacon

1. When you are served crisp bacon, go ahead and pick it up with your fingers.
2. However, if it is soft, use your fork and knife.
3. Doing otherwise could be quite messy.

Cheese
1. You should eat cheese with a fork if it is served as a side that accompanies another dish, such as meat or pie.
2. If it is an appetizer, use a serving utensil or toothpick to lift it from the tray.
3. You may eat it with your fingers after it is on your plate.
Chips
1. Chips may be eaten with the fingers at all times because they would crumble if you try to cut or stab them with a
fork.
2. Remember that it is always bad manners to double dip your chip into a common dip container.
3. If you want to dip your chip twice, scoop some of the sauce onto your personal plate and dip as many times as you
want.

Chicken
1. Chicken is another one of those food items, like pork chops, that stump people.
2. I recommend eating all chicken, including fried, barbecued, or baked with a fork in a public setting, whether it is
casual or formal.
3. However, it is always okay to use your fingers to eat chicken at a picnic or outdoor cookout.

Corn on the Cob

1. Very few hostesses are likely to serve corn on the cob at a formal dinner.
2. However, if you find yourself facing a cob on your plate, it is acceptable to pick it up with your hand. 
3. However, try to do this discreetly, and do not pull out a toothpick to remove the kernels from your teeth.
4. A better and less messy method may be to tilt the cob on its end, and using your knife, gently saw the kernels off
the cob.
5. Then you can scoop them up with your fork and not run the risk of having corn between your front teeth all
evening.

French Fries
1. Whether you are at a formal or casual dinner, use your fork to eat French fries.
2. The only time you should eat them with your fingers is when you are at a fast food restaurant or picnic.
3. If you are served with a hamburger with fries, and the hostess uses her fingers, by all means, do what she does.
4. You don’t want to make her look like a clod.
What is Oriental Cuisine?
Introduction
         A generation ago, when someone had a craving for Oriental food, that usually meant moo goo gai pan, sweet and sour
chicken or other famous Americanized Chinese food. Today, uttering the phrase "Oriental food" provokes curious head turns
and could-have-heard-a-pin-drop silence for using the outdated, somewhat-offensive term. It's been replaced almost entirely
by the phrase "Asian food," not to be confused with "Asian fusion" or "pan-Asian" cuisines.
         When asked, most Americans would define Oriental food as dishes from China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam and Thailand
because these are the Asian foods with which they're most familiar. Technically, however, Oriental dishes would be those from
the Orient: The area of East Asia that includes China, Japan, North and South Korea, Taiwan, Tibet and Mongolia.
       The word "Oriental" has become offensive because it was frequently used pejoratively to denigrate Asian people, both
because they looked different and because they were often in subservient roles at that time.
Oriental Table Etiquette
Chopstick Etiquette 
         Chopstick etiquette is a common issue for travelers, not only because they can be difficult to use, but also because many
rules are surrounding the proper use of them. 
    • Unlike a fork and knife, chopsticks shouldn’t touch the inside of your mouth.
Instead, they should pass the food to your mouth. 
    • You should avoid sucking on or licking your chopsticks, as it could portray immaturity.
    • Do not point at food or people with your chopsticks;
    • Try not to pass food with your chopsticks. 
    • If there are no serving utensils, use the bigger end of the chopsticks to pass food to your plate;
    • Do not play with them or rub them together;
    • Do not stab pieces of food;
    • Do not leave chopsticks standing vertically in a bowl or cross them in an “X” shape.  This symbolizes death;
    • Elders and senior members at the table should lift their chopsticks first
    • If you used disposable chopsticks, make sure to place them back in their wrapper and fold the end.
Drinking Etiquette
        If you are looking to have a drink with dinner, you would be correct in assuming there are also certain etiquette rules
surrounding beverages.
• The number one rule for drinking in Japan is to never drink alone.
• You must always wait for everyone to be served before even touching your drink. 
• Once everyone is served, someone will offer a “kampai” (if Japanese setting)  which means “cheers” in Japanese. 
• If you want to make a good impression, it is considered good manners to pour someone else’s drink before yours. 
• Other drinking rules include:
• Leave your drink full if you don’t want refills;
• It is polite for everyone to drink the same drink for the first round;
• The glass of the most senior person should be raised the highest in cheers;
• When your drink is being poured, hold your glass with both hands.
Eating Etiquette
       There is an array of eating protocols to be aware of before beginning a meal in Japan. Many of them revolve around the
idea of not wasting food. 
• Before plating yourself, make sure to start the meal by saying “Itadaki-masu,” which means “I gratefully receive.” 
• After, you may begin dishing up.
• Remember to only take what you think you will eat, as leaving food on your plate is considered wasteful and impolite.
Other dining rules include:
• Do not dump soy sauce on your food. Instead, pour a small amount of sauce in a bowl and dip your food into it;
• You may sip directly from a bowl if it contains ramen or soup. You can even slurp loudly to show your appreciation;
• Make sure to clean your plate;
• Never raise your food above your mouth;
• Do not try to catch falling food;
• Return all dishes to how they were at the start of the meal;
• Do not blow your nose at the table.
Paying the Bill
       Paying the bill can happen a few different ways. To signal for the bill, cross one index finger over the other to create an “X.”
This is the standard sign for “check please.” You may also say, “okanjo kudasai,” which also means “check please.”
      Usually, the person who invited people out to eat pays the bill. This reinforces their culture of hospitality and gratitude. It is
also very common for a party to split the check. This custom is called betsu-betsu and is common when dining out with friends.
If you are dining with a person of higher social status, they will typically foot the bill.
Tipping
    Tipping is not common nor expected in Japanese culture. Many servers will think you left forgotten money and run after you
to return it. It may be uncomfortable, but tipping in Japan adds unnecessary confusion to your dining experience.
Other Pointers to Consider 
•    Don’t make noises when you chew food
•    Slurping is totally fine. Don’t apply the Western culture to Japan
•    Your lips, teeth or tongue can touch chopsticks
•    Don’t ever pass food from chopsticks to chopsticks
•    Don’t stick chopsticks on your food
•    Don’t stub food with your chopsticks
•    Don’t stand up while eating
•    Don’t swing around your chopsticks over the dishes
•    Don’t put your elbow on the table
•    Don’t hold your chopsticks like drumsticks and hit dishes with them
•    Hold chopsticks in the right way