Mind Your Manners Please!

Mar 20th, 2009 by savvyclub

Dear Friends,

No one likes a stickler, but often, when I’m attending a social event, particularly a dinner, I see that people are either unaware of the right table manners to use, or unaware of the best course of action when it comes to a matter of dining etiquette.

So, I’ve prepared today’s blog to be a brief guide to negotiating some of the trickier elements of dining etiquette:

CLIENT: I need to leave the table during the meal, where do I put my napkin?

SaVVy: To avoid leaving a used napkin on the table, leave it in the centre of your chair when you excuse yourself. Remember to pick it up again when you return!

CLIENT: At the end of the meal, where do I place my knife and fork?

SaVVy: Place your knife and fork on your plate, parallel to each other, with the blade of the knife facing inwards. Some believe the utensils should sit 12 to 6 on your plate, others say 10 to 4. Look at what others are doing as your best guide. This tip will often keep you straight on many important table manners.

CLIENT: Is there a correct way to butter a bread roll?

SaVVy: Yes, there is a correct way to do this. Break the bread with your fingers into small piece so that you can eat it in small bites. Butter a small piece and then eat it. Never butter the whole roll.

CLIENT: When serving Port, is it passed to the left or the right?

SaVVy: Simple, Port is always served from right to the left. So the person on your left will receive the bottle next.

Table manners are an important way to respect your host and although they’re something of an old fashioned tradition in most households, they promote general good manners and it’s nice to have a series of meaningful rituals at the table, then everyone knows where they stand. Manners after all, are meant to ensure that everyone feels comfortable at the table.

Kind Regards

Kim Rix

The SaVVy Cub®- an exclusive social events club always delivering events that are intimate, stylish and memorable, allowing you to quickly meet a whole variety of people whilst exploring London’s finest places and enjoying the best and exclusive events.