The basic principles of proper dinner table etiquette.......and how to avoid social embarrassment! Here are the important tips on dinner table etiquette that will help you through any formal business lucheon or dinner party.

 GUIDELINGS FOR BETTER TABLE MANNERSs

1.     Dress according to the recommended (if any) dress code. NEVER attempt to "out dress" the hostess!

2.     Once seated, unfold your napkin and use it for occasionally wiping your lips or fingers. At the end of dinner, leave the napkin tidily on the place setting.

3.         Sit a comfortable distance away from the table, so that with the elbows bent the hands are level with the knives and forks.
4.  Avoid speaking loudly or playing with your cellphone to "pass time"

5.     Sit up straight, sit square with hands in the lap and do not fidget. Do not put elbows on the table.

6.     If you are served a meal that is already on the plate, wait until everyone has been served before picking up your cutlery, unless invited by your host to start.

7.     Hold the knife and fork with the handles in the palm of the hand, forefinger on top, and thumb underneath. (see picture above)

8.     Whilst eating, you may if you wish rest the knife and fork on either side of the plate between mouthfuls. When you have finished eating, place them side by side in the center of the plate.

9.     Eat at a relaxed pace and pace yourself to match your fellow diners. Keep your mouth closed and try to avoid making noises of any kind while eating, either with implements against the plate or teeth, or with actual ingestion of the food, eg slurping soup.

10.  Forks should not be turned overunless being used for eating peas, sweetcorn kernels, rice or other similar foods. In which case, it should be transferred to the right hand. 

11.  If the food presented to you is not to your liking, it is polite to at least make some attempt to eat a small amount of it. Or at the very least, cut it up a little, and move it around the plate!

12.  It is quite acceptable to leave some food to one side of your plate if you feel as though you have eaten enough. On the other hand, don't attempt to leave your plate so clean that it looks as though you haven't eaten in days!

13.  Good dinner table etiquette sometimes involves a degree of diplomacy when it comes to the host's choice of food and wine! Even if you feel that you can do better, don't ever offer your criticism. If you feel unable to pay any compliments, at least remain silent on the subject.

14.  Picking teeth (unless toothpicks are provided) or licking fingers are very unattractive! The only exception to the latter is when eating meat or poultry on the bone (such as chicken legs or ribs). In which case, a finger bowl should be provided.

15.  Drinking too much wine or hard spirits can be very embarrassing! Where a different wine is served with each course, it is quite acceptable to not finish each glass.

16.  Don't forget to make polite conversation with those guests around you. Dinner parties are not just about the food, they are intended to be a sociable occasion. 

17.  Desserts may be eaten with both a spoon and fork, or alternatively a fork alone if it is a cake or pastry style sweet.

18..  Always make a point of thanking the host and hostess for their hospitality before leaving. It is good dinner table etiquette to send a personal thank you note to the host and hostess shortly afterwards.