Mind your table manners

By ROZIE JUMA

Going for a formal, especially business, dinner requires dining etiquette, which is an integral part of a good personality.

As you have your meal, people will observe you and make judgments about you. If you behave well, you will be perceived in a positive light, and the opposite is also true.

Someone with a good personality is one who is well-mannered, talks gracefully, dresses smartly and acts sensibly. One could get away with poor dressing, but not dining etiquette; table manners reflect civility and give one confidence. If you master dining etiquette, things come naturally and you find yourself engaging more in conversation.

Different cultures have different dining customs, although there are certain things that apply across the board.

The following could be considered basic dining etiquette:

•Responding: When invited to dinner, ensure you respond to the invitation within a week.

•Dress code: Most formal invitations will dictate a certain dress code. Stick to the stipulated attire and make sure you arrive on time.

•Napkin: The moment you sit at the dinner table, the first thing you do is unfold the napkin and place it on your lap or tuck it in your collar as a bib. Use it as and when required to wipe your hands or mouth. Once you are done, place it neatly beside your plate.

•Using fork and knife: Always hold the fork with your left hand and the knife with your right. You may keep them beside your plate while eating. When you are done, you can either place the cutlery at the side or in the centre of the plate.

•Eating: Avoid talking with food in your mouth. While it is good to converse as you indulge in the meal, always swallow first.

•Appreciation: You might not enjoy the food you are served, but you should not complain. Even if the meal is not to your liking, be polite and pretend to have enjoyed it very much.

•Thanks: Always remember to say ‘thank you’ to the host for their hospitality before you leave.

•Respect for women: Men should always remember to pull chairs for women. If a woman wants to be excused, for instance to go to the washroom, the man should stand as she leaves, then sit down, and then stand up and sit again when she comes back.

•Noise: Creating unnecessary noise with cutlery and crockery can be irritating. Use the eating equipment gently.