TABLE MANNERS AND DINING ETIQUETTE

Regardless of where you are eating, proper etiquette at the table is important. There may
be some slight variations, depending on your region and what is locally acceptable. If you are at
a  dinner party, pay close attention to the host or hostess and take cues from them.
Table manners is an asset towards making an impression, acting as a signal of the state of
our manners and therefore essential to professional success.
Before the Dinner
o If you are invited to have dinner with someone, it is always a good idea to respond.
o Don’t ask if you can bring extra guests if the invitation doesn’t make the offer. However, if your
family is invited to someone’s home for dinner, it is okay to ask if your children are included. If
they are, make sure your children know good manners before they go.
Gift
o When you are dining at the home of a friend, it is a good idea to bring a host or hostess gift.

Getting Started
o Never take your seat before being invited to do so by your host
o The gentlemen should always help the lady be seated

Napkin
o As soon as you sit down, turn to your host or hostess and take a cue for when to begin.
o The meal begins when the host or hostess unfolds the napkin. Once the host unfolds his or her
napkin, you should remove your napkin from the table or plate, and place it on your lap.
o Do not shake the napkin open.
o If you are dining out, you should place your napkin in your lap immediately after you sit down.
o Do not clean the cutlery or wipe your face or nose with the napkin
o Keep your napkin in your lap until you are finished eating. If you must get up at any time during
the meal and plan to return, place the napkin on either side of your plate. After you are finished,
place your napkin on the table to the left of your plate.
How to use a napkin:

Napkin placement after meal:

Napkin placement when you leave for the restroom:

When to Eat
o If you are eating out, you should wait until all the members of your group have been served
before picking up your fork.
o At a private dinner, observe the host or hostess and pick up your fork when he or she does.
Silverware
o A typical rule of thumb is to start with the utensil that is farthest from your plate. If you see the
host or hostess doing something different, you may follow his or her lead.
o Eat to your left, drink to your right. (Any food dish to the left is yours, and any glass to the right
is yours.)

Serving Food
o For dinners where food is served at the table, the dishes should be passed in a counter-clockwise
flow. Never reach across the table for anything.
o Always use serving utensils.
o Plates are served on the left.
o Dishes removed from the right.
o Pass the salt and pepper together.
o Always say please when asking for something. Be sure to say thank you to your server after they
have removed any used items.

Eating
Here are some essential dining etiquette rules that you should follow:
o Don’t use your cell phone while dining. It is rude to talk on your phone or text while in the
company of others.
o Sit straight and try not to lean on the table.
o Never talk when you have food in your mouth. (Even if someone asks you a question, wait until
you swallow before answering.)
o Taste your food before you add salt, pepper, or other seasoning.
o Some foods are meant to be eaten with your fingers. Follow the lead of the host or hostess.
o If you are drinking from a stemmed glass, hold it by the stem.
o Break your bread into bite-sized pieces and butter only one bite at a time.
o Compliment the hostess if you like the food, but don’t voice your opinion if you don’t.
o Take small bites, keep your mouth closed and finish chewing before continuing your
conversation.
o Try not to gulp your food.
o Do not blow on food that is hot. Wait until it cools or eat from the side of the bowl, when having
soup.
o Once your utensils are used, including the handles, it must not touch the table again. Always rest
forks, knives, and spoons on the side of your plate or in the bowl.
o Use your utensils for eating, not gesturing.
o Guests should do their best to mingle and make light conversation with everyone. Do not talk
excessively loudly. Give others equal opportunities for conversation. Talk about cheerful,
pleasant things at the table.
o Keep your elbows off the table. Rest the hand you are not using in your lap. However, when you
stop to talk, it is okay to rest your elbows on the table and lean forward.
o Eat slowly and pace yourself to finish at the same approximate time as the host or hostess.
o Avoid burping or making other rude sounds at the table.
o If you spill something at a restaurant, signal one of the servers to help. If you spill something at a
private dinner party in someone’s home, pick it up and blot the spill. Offer to have it
professionally cleaned if necessary.
o When you finish eating, leave your utensils on your plate or in your bowl, do not push your plate
away from you.
o Never use a toothpick or dental floss at the table.
o You may reapply your lipstick, but don’t freshen the rest of your makeup at the table. 
How to excuse yourself
o Be discrete if you have problem with the food.
o Remove food the same way it went in-on silverware.
o Excuse yourself, if you have to leave the table. Say “Excuse me,” or “I’ll be right back,” before
leaving the table. Do not say that you are going to the restroom. If a woman excuses herself, stay
seated. The older practice of rising upon her departure and return is outmoded and confuses
people nowadays.
o Turn your head from the table when you cough or sneeze.
o If someone uses your bread plate as their own do not inform them of their mistake, simply use
your dinner plate. Do not use the bread plate on your right as a replacement.

Meals End

Clearing the Plates

 If the meal is formal, plates will be removed by the staff.
 At informal meals, the hostess will probably clear the plates, possibly with one or two guests
helping.
 At a family meal, members clear their own plates.
 Leaving the dining room.
Leave when:
 The hostess catches the eye of the host, lays her napkin on the table, and suggests that
everyone go into another room for coffee and after-dinner drinks.
 The hostess rises from her chair.
 Then, it’s time for you to leave.

Game (played before the report):

Suggestion no. 1:
Episode: Choose your Table Etiquette

Welcome to the interactive visual story, which YOU will choose what path your character takes!
Episode will let you develop your table etiquette with your favorite character – will they show
such etiquette or not?
Change fate through your choices, and discover all of the different endings! Lezzzgoooo

Instruction:
A particular scene will show up on your screen, along with the choices that you’re going to select.
Each choice has a corresponding consequence which will take you whether to a happy or sad ending.
We will need 5 players from the Group 5. The first player will choose from the first choices
followed by the second player and so on until the last player comes.

A. First scene:
You are at a formal occasion, together with your boss and co-workers, as soon as you are seated,
you:
A. Place immediately the napkin in your lap upon seating.
B. Wait for the hostess to remove her napkin and unfold it in her lap before doing yours.
C. Never mind the napkin, shake it off, and just order a food immediately.

(Mamsh, ung sa choices pwede siyang nakalagay dun sa plato ganon or kahit ano hahaha)

Outcome:

A. The hostess felt offended, and, she corrected your manners. Therefore, you got embarrassed in
front of your co-workers.
B. The hostess is happy because of your etiquette, thus, you received compliments from her.
C. Everyone is not amazed by your actions. You might want to consider getting another job after
this.

A. Second scene:
Your food has arrived that is why you:

A. Eat immediately
B. You didn’t notice it since you are busy with your phone.
C. Wait until everyone is served and begin when the host asks you to.
Outcome:

A. Everyone was staring at you in surprised. Your boss starts to get irritated at you.
B. The boss angrily told you to turn off your phone.
C. Everyone has had the opportunity to be passed every serving plate and has their dinner
selection on their plate. You have exhibited great table etiquette and respect.

A. Third scene:
The hostess asks everyone to start eating. Therefore, you:

A. Use the outside knife and fork for the first course and then simply work inwards for each
subsequent course.
B. You just grab and utilize whatever utensils are available.
C. You started eating with your hands rather than utensils

Outcome:

A. The hostess is amazed because you are well-informed of the use of cutlery
B. Your boss and co-workers is disappointed at your lack of knowledge.
C. Everyone felt disgusted, and your boss asks you to leave the room.

A. Fourth scene:
While you are eating, one of your co-workers asks you to pass the food placed in front of you,
there you:
A. Pass food from the left to the right.
B. You stretch across the table, crossing other guests, to pass the food to your co-worker.
C. You act like you didn’t hear anything, ignore it, and continue eating.

Outcome:

A. You have successfully passed the food with proper table etiquette.
B. You did passed the food but everyone was not happy of your actions.
C. Everyone was shocked at your attitude, not only that you have broken your relationship with
your co-workers but you’re also getting closer to getting fired.

A. Last scene:
You have finished your food that is why you:

A. Push the plate away from you.

B. Place the knife and fork parallel with the handles in the four o'clock position on the right
rim of the plate.
C. You ask the hostess to clean it for you.

Outcome:

A. You interfered with the meal of your boss and co-workers. As a result of your actions, you got
fired immediately.
 B. The hostess thanks everyone for showing a proper table etiquette. As a result, your boss and
co-workers is delightful of your attitude during the occasion.
C. Everyone is insulted by your words, you got thrown out of the occasion, and also got fired
immediately at your job.

Great outcome:
You are at a formal occasion, together with your boss and co-workers, as soon as you are seated,
you wait for the hostess to remove her napkin and unfold it in her lap before doing yours.
As soon as the food arrived, you also waited until everyone is served and begin when the host
asks you to. When the hostess instructed everyone to start eating, you use the outside knife and fork for
the first course and then simply work inwards for each subsequent course. While you are eating, one of
your co-workers asks you to pass the food placed in front of you, and you have passed food from the left
to the right. Finally, after you have finished your food, you place the knife and fork parallel with the
handles in the four o'clock position on the right rim of the plate.
Therefore, you have properly showed proper table etiquette throughout the occasion and the
hostess, your boss and your co-workers were delightful of your attitude.

Inspired ditu sisxz:

I believe in Episode Supremacy!! AHAHAHAHA

(pero di n masyadong maganda ngayon )

Suggestion no. 2:
Pinoy Henyo

Instruction:

1. There will be 3 groups, each composed of 2 members: one as the guesser and the other one who is only
allowed to respond to the guesser’s question with a yes, no or maybe. The guesser will wear a blindfold.

2. Time limit is 2 minutes, the timer starts at once when the word is revealed. There are three words per
team.

3. 5 seconds shall be added as penalty to the one responding other answers than yes, maybe or no.

4. The game stops when the time limit is reached or when the group guessed all words.

5. The group who guesses the words faster, wins.

Words:

 Table
 Fork
 Napkin
 Goblet
 Knife
 Chopsticks
 Toast
 Teaspoon (change n lng kung ito mapili)