I was thinking that anyway the first post on my food tasting will only be in Jan 2012 (yes, a compulsion of mine, to start it in the new year), so for time being i'll write about one of the biggest dilemmas that dog us, when we go to a suave restaurant that is, which side to keep the plate and which side to keep the glass! Not that it really matters, as anyhow it’s going down your throat. Literally. But yes, a high profile lunch and you are keen to seal the deal and want to impress your client or maybe the love of your life. Here are a few handy tips.
To start with, we have the cloth. Also known as the "Napkin", which i thought was to blow my nose(kidding).
Napkin : Remove the napkin, unfold it and place it on your lap. At some restaurants the waiters might do this for you(remember to tip more if he does). The napkin rests on the lap till the end of the meal. Don't clean the cutlery or wipe your face with the napkin. NEVER use it to wipe your nose! Also,at the end of the meal, leave the napkin semi-folded at the left side of the plate setting. Its inappropriate to leave it on the chair.
When to Start Eating: The moment you see the waiter coming with the food, you definitely shouldn't jump on him. NO MATTER how hungry you are. So when is the right time to start?
Wait until all are served at your table before beginning to eat.
How to use your Silverware and Dinnerware : This is easily the most complicated part of dining etiquette. Eat to your left, drink to your right. Any food dish to the left is yours, and any glass to the right is yours. A simple way to remember this is, remember bread to the left and drink to the right. i.e, b (left) and d (right). Use the tips of your thumb and forefinger, make circles on each hand. The remaining three fingers in each hand point upwards. Your left hand will form a "b" and your right hand will form a "d".
Starting with the knife, fork, or spoon that is farthest from your plate, work your way in, using one utensil for each course. The salad fork is on your outermost left, followed by your dinner fork. Your soup spoon is on your outermost right, followed by your beverage spoon, salad knife and dinner knife. Your dessert spoon and fork are above your plate or brought out with dessert.
Knife in right hand, fork in left hand holding food. After a few bite-sized pieces of food are cut, place knife on edge of plate with blades facing in. Eat food by switching fork to right hand (unless you are left handed). Also, its bad manners to have your left hand, arm or elbow on the table.
Once used, your utensils (including the handles), must NOT touch the table again. Any unused silverware is simply left on the table.
Here's, a pictorial representation of the same.
General Social and Dining etiquette : Follow the the dress code is requested on the invitation. Never arrive late, be there at least 10 minutes early. If a toast is offered, always join in the toast. Serving tea or coffee signals that the formal party is over. So, you can either leave or linger if the host requests you or mentions it.
Serving Food: This is something I never volunteer to do. But if you are the host and supposed to do so, then remember food is served from the left. Dishes are removed from the right. Butter, spreads, or dips should be transferred from the serving dish to your plate before spreading or eating.
Passing the food : While passing food, do so from left to right. No one is keen to know how your yoga workouts are going on, so avoid stretching across the table. Pass salt & pepper together. Another important point is, pepper shaker has 3 holes on the top whereas salt has only 1. Always use serving utensils to serve yourself, not your personal silverware (no one, is interested in knowing the brand of the toothpaste or the floss you are using).
Eating: Do NOT talk with food in your mouth! This is very rude and distasteful to watch!(and if you talk a lot like me, concentrate on the food or something else. anything else. Just don't talk). Don't blow on your food to cool it off. If it is too hot to eat, take the hint and wait until it cools. Cut only enough food for the next mouthful. Bite only what you can chew. LITERALLY.
It is never acceptable to ask a person why they have not eaten all the food(we Indians in particular love doing this). Don't make an issue if you don't like something or can't eat it(specially making faces.Instead, imagine the choicest 4 letter word people shout out while asking you to keep quiet, practice it in your mind!)
Also, there are few people who like to eat with their hands, for whatever reason. If you choose to do that, remember however tasty the food, don't lick your fingers. And do not touch anything else. Keep your hands to yourself.
Table Manners: Okay, this one is going to be a little longer than the rest.
- Unfold you napkin and place it on your lap as mentioned earlier.
- Keep your elbows of the table and place your left hand on the lap unless of course you are using it.
- Guests should do their best to mingle and make light conversation with everyone
- Don't clean up spills with your own napkin and don't touch items that have dropped on the floor. You can use your napkin to protect yourself from spills. Then, simply and politely ask your server to clean up and to bring you a replacement for the soiled napkin or dirty utensil.
- Do not make loud eating noises. And please DO NOT burp at the table. It’s a SIN.
- Do not blow your nose at the dinner table. Excuse yourself to visit the restroom. Wash your hands before returning to the dining room. If you cough, cover your mouth with your napkin to stop the spread of germs and muffle the noise. If your cough becomes unmanageable, excuse yourself to visit the restroom. Wash your hands before returning to the dining room.
- Turn off your cell phone or switch it to silent or vibrate mode before sitting down to eat, and leave it in your pocket or purse. It is impolite to answer a phone during dinner. If you must make or take a call, excuse yourself from the table and step outside of the restaurant.
- Do not push your dishes away from you or stack them for the waiter when you are finished. Leave the plates and glasses where they are.
Wine: Never turn a wine glass upside down to decline wine. It is more polite to let the wine be poured and not draw attention. Otherwise, hold your hand over the wine glass to signal that you don't want any wine.
Hold your wine glass by the stem, not the rim. And if you need more wine, politely ask for it, do not scream for it (remember we're not vikings anymore).
Tipping Etiquette: This is a widely debated topic. How much to tip? Its a standard practice to tip 10-15% of your bill. Although, I tip as per my liking to how the service was. So, i would leave this to you. And if there is anything not suited to my liking, i voice it out to the manager, that again is subjective.
And IMPORTANTLY there is also a pizza eating etiquette. You eat the pizza with your hand! holding the arc and biting the vertex off! It kills the joy and the taste of eating a pizza if you use the fork and the knife.
So there you go. Happy feasting.
This was blogged this listening to Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai by Shreya Ghosal, Subah Hone Na De from Desi Boyz and We Found Love by Rihanna. (don't ask me why I listened to them. Even If you do, i won't tell you.)
