Service - 10 dos and don'ts of table manners

10 Dos

1. Always reply in writing to a written invitation. Definitely accept or decline the invitation even if not specifically requested.
2. Always unwrap a bouquet from its paper before handing it over. If the hosts are a couple, give the bouquet to the hostess. If lots of people have been invited, the hosts should have sufficient vases ready.
3. Sit the guest of honour to the right of the host. Wherever possible, sit men and women alternately. Couples may be separated, but should be sat at the same table.
4. Lay new cutlery for every course and set a new glass for each wine.
5. Hold glasses by the stem so that you don't get fingerprints on them and to avoid the drink getting warm.
6. Before drinking, dab your mouth with your serviette.
7. If finger food is on the menu, set out finger bowls and also offer fresh serviettes.
8. Serve clear soups in cups, thicker soups in deep dishes. If the cup has handles, the last of the soup may be drunk straight from it.
9. If you leave the table between courses, place your serviette on the table, loosely folded.
10. After a major celebration, such as a wedding for example, send a thank you note. The most polite way to do this is in the form of a hand-written letter. For large events, printed cards are a good alternative.

10 Don'ts

1. Don't put items on the table that have nothing to do with eating, e.g. mobile phones, evening bags, glasses cases or smoking utensils.
2. Don't smoke between courses. The last opportunity is over aperitifs, thereafter not until coffee and liqueurs after the meal.
3. Where the meal is accompanied by bread, do not spread this whole and then bite off a piece. Break the slice of bread or roll first, then spread butter on the small individual pieces before eating.
4. If the meal is interrupted, do not prop up your cutlery on the edge of your plate.
5. Don't stick your serviette into your collar or place it on the table while eating.
6. Don't use toothpicks at the table, not even if shielded with your other hand.
7. Don't add seasoning to the food, without first trying it.
8. Don't blow soup or other food to cool it down.
9. Don't eat poultry, such as chicken or duck, with your fingers unless finger bowls are provided for doing so.
10. Don't toast with differing drinks, such as beer and wine. Only a water glass has free rein to toast with other glasses.

Read more on "Etiquette is in ... Contemporary table manners for the home" (PDF).

Reproduced by kind consent of Rosenthal AG.

Rosenthal AG
Philip-Rosenthal-Platz 1
D - 95100 Selb
E-Mail: info@rosenthal.de

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