Dine fine

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Sometimes outside the privacy of our homes we are at loss of etiquettes, most times not even realizing it. How do we carry ourselves at parties? How to handle cutlery, how to eat? The list can be endless. Its not that we are not civilized, or lack basic manners, but it's just that we need to know a few social etiquettes to avoid unpleasant and embarrassing moments. Here are a few table etiquettes for a pleasant dining.

Always sit up straight at a table. Never lean backward, or forward and also do not let your elbows touch the table. When you are not eating, rest your hands on your lap or on the table. The napkin should be placed on the lap to catch crumbs or drips while eating food and should be kept back on the table neatly, after the meal is finished.

Do not start your meal before others could begin. Chew small bites of food and swallow with your mouth closed. Don't make noise while eating. It might be embarrassing for the people sharing a meal with you. Don't touch your nose, teeth and hair while eating. Also do not put bones or any other morsels on the table this is absolutely unacceptable. If there is something unpleasant in your mouth, put it out on a paper napkin and keep it out of sight from others. Avoid licking fingers after finishing the food. It would always be polite to appreciate the meal at the end. Do not leave the table until all have finished.

When you have guests, keep the table and tablecloth clean. You could opt for a plated meal or a buffet. When you have a good number of guests over for lunch or dinner, you can serve a buffet meal. This will be convenient for both the host and the guest. At a buffet meal, keep plates stacked at one end of the table along with cutlery and other crockery placed next to the plates. Place food in the order of salads, soups, main courses, breads and accompaniments. Dessert can be placed on the same table or on another if there is more than one variety. When you have a buffet you could let your guests help themselves. However you could help them serve as well. In a plated service the table should be laid with crockery placed at the respective places. The food should be served in the order of soup being first and dessert last.

Golden rules:

• Do not speak with your mouth full.
• Do not make a slurping sound while drinking soup or noisily munch food.
• Do not finish off everything in sight but share food.
• Do not load your plate with lots of food. Take it in two three servings.
• Do smoke at a meal.
• If something is stuck in your teeth, try to remove it with your tongue or leave the table and go to a mirror where you could remove it in private.
• Break bread into small pieces instead of biting from an entire roll.

Add an aesthetic touch to your room with crockery, cutlery, glassware, jugs, mats, ice buckets, napkins, coasters, candle stands, cruet sets, flower vases, menu stands, and other decorative pieces. If space provides one can also keep pickles and sauces etc. Have a wonderful dining!