OK, so we’ve all been there (and if you haven’t then read this carefully and you’ll be one step ahead of the game); sat down at your name place, be it at a wedding, work function, lavish event or charity dinner, and the table setting is like nothing you’ve ever encountered.
Rabbit in the headlights? You’re not alone.
Truth be told, I imagine a large proportion of the guests around you also won’t really know what they’re doing but the key is to act confidently - you were invited, so you are meant to be there. That, combined with harnessing some of the ‘rules’ below should be enough to get you through!
Manners
First things first, you should Never forget to bring along your manners. No matter your gender, salary or age, manners are a necessity at the dinner table and to be honest, this starts when you receive your invitation; Always aim to RSVP within the first 24 hours of receiving an invitation. It’s simply polite.
The Napkin
When you take your seat, place your napkin on the right hand side of your plate.
Once you’ve began eating, by all means use it, but remember you’re not a baby and it’s not a bib.
If you do leave the table during the meal (probs best to avoid smoking until after the meal), leave your napkin on your chair.
Silverware and Service
When it comes to cutlery, Always work from the outside in.
Allow yourself a couple of moments to watch what others do but don’t point your index finger downwards and move it in a circular motion, as if you’re choosing at random - it isn’t very sly.
Please remember that you should Always wait to dig in, until everyone on your table has received their food; Never before.
If you see someone prematurely stuffing their face, neither follow suit, nor call them out on it; just be smug inside.
Always say thank you to whoever serves you - just because you’re at a fancy event, doesn’t mean you can behave like an arse.
Glasses
- Always hold wine glasses and champagne flutes by the stem - even in the case of red wine - you just have to hope it’s been served at the correct temperature (one for the wine snobs)
- And if it hasn’t Never complain - remember what I said about not behaving like an arse.
- If you’re not drinking, simply say, ‘No thank you,’ when wine is being served. That’s all that’s required and Never feel embarrassed to do this.
A few extras for good measure…
- Always use serving utensils to serve yourself, not your personal silverware.
- Always scoop food away from you, using said utensils.
- Always pass both the salt and pepper at the same time, even if you’re only asked for one. - Always be respectful to serving staff!
- Never ask for a doggy-bag. Never.
- Never be the first to get slippered. But also Never be the last.
- Always choose a reliable plus one.
Most importantly, Always have fun!
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