Dining Etiquette

A simple guide to dining, whether you're attending a dinner party or visiting a restaurant, heres how to do it with style. When to arrive, how to greet your hosts, how to order food and wine, how to use the cutlery, its all in this section.

Basic Rules For Dining Etiquette.
Don't put your elbows on the table; in fact, unless you are cutting something that requires both hands, your idle hand should be in your lap.

Dress for the occasion. Formal means tuxedos and ball gowns. Business lunch or dinner usually means you should wear a suit or other professional attire.

Arrive at least 10 minutes early if not otherwise specified.

Check your appearance.

Greet your host(s). Shaking hands is the usual way, particularly if it is a business function. If you are wearing a coat, ask where you can put it.

Tips to Dine at Ease

1. Table settings are like road maps that guide you through the courses of a meal.

2. Forks (except the seafood fork), are placed to the left of the plate.

3. Glasses or crystal stem-ware are to the right of the dinner plate.

4. Knives and spoons are placed at the right side of the plate.

5. Remember the "etiquette rule", solids to the left, liquids to the right.

6. During the courses of a meal you pick up the silverware pieces from
the outside in, toward your plate.

7. When hosting a dinner, don't forget your guest's special dietary needs. (Kosher or other religious observances, vegetarian, food allergies, etc.)

8. Do try a little of everything on your plate.

9. Napkins are to remain on your lap until the completion of the meal.

10. Do compliment the host/ess on the preparation, tastiness or presentation of the meal.

Food and Wine

As a general rule whilst dining out you should try to find restaurants that offer something new and original. If your favorite cuisine is indian then why not go for something a little more challenging like a good French Restaurant

If you are visiting a restaurant for the first time, ask the waiter for his recommendations on the Dishes and Wines they serve

Service

You do not need to be a rocket scientist to understand the importance of good service. It means more than getting your "spit-free" order right. Offering good service entails smiling, being friendly, courteous,
perceptive, empathetic, reliable, and timely

So many trendy restaurants feel that they can get away with poor service. Sadly, this is something that tourists are vulnerable to, but local patrons have no reason to expect anything but the best.