Category Archives: Dining Etiquette

How To Eat a Banana – Difficult Foods

Bananas are one of those foods frequently avoided when dining out because we’re not quite sure how to properly eat them. When you are casually dining at home among family members, it is acceptable to eat this fruit by peeling … Continue reading

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When is it Appropriate to Begin Eating?

Guests should always take their cue from the person hosting the meal.  When the host or hostess takes the first bite, the guests may then pick up their utensils and begin eating. This etiquette rule came from the royal courts … Continue reading

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Hosting a Dinner When the Electricity Goes Out

I was attending a large corporate holiday party in Chicago and had to negotiate my way through an ice and snow storm to get to the event. A challenge most Chicagoans are use to. Just as the guests began to … Continue reading

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Toasting for Non-Drinkers

Toasting is very common at holiday celebrations, weddings, and social office gatherings. To participate in a toast, you do not have to drink alcohol. What matters is having a beverage glass to raise and sip from.  No one will notice … Continue reading

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Dining Etiquette – Demitasse Cup and Saucer

The word demitasse comes from the French language and means half cup. The actual size of a demitasse cup is half the size of a regular coffee cup. This small cup is used to serve strong specialty coffees such as … Continue reading

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Lighting Candles on the Dinner Table

The candles on a dinner table should not be lit before dusk. Candles should not be on the table at all if the entire meal is to be consumed during daylight hours. The reasoning behind this etiquette rule goes back … Continue reading

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Serving Soup

There are two different types of soup bowls. Each of these bowls serves a function for the type of soup being served. 1. Cream soup bowl. This bowl is low and somewhat flat with a one inch rim around the … Continue reading

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Taking Medications in Professional Settings

At some time, everyone needs to take medication during the workday. Perhaps it is for something as minor as a headache or it could be an ongoing health issue such as taking insulin for diabetes. Whatever reason the medication is … Continue reading

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Passing Food at the Table

Serving platters, bread baskets, and other food items are always passed in a counterclockwise direction or to your right. This will help to alleviate any traffic jams. Also, by receiving the food with your left hand, your right hand is … Continue reading

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Dining Etiquette – Sharing Food at the Table

It is impolite to eat food from another diner’s plate.  If you would like to sample or share food from another diner’s plate, hand your fork to the other person who should place the food on the fork and hand … Continue reading

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