Table manners are essential for reflecting good conduct and professionalism in a work environment whereas they make for a pleasant dining experience for yourself and for others when you step out for social dining experiences. Even when you’re hosting at home, the right set of table manners can enhance the experience for your guests. On a daily basis, etiquette and table manners provide for a delightful mealtime in the presence of your family and are conducive to a better family relationship.

One thing to consider when you are hosting at home or for your customary daily meals, investing in a good luxury tableware brand for your dining plates, serveware, barware, and even flatware sets is half your job done. A well-organised setup is an expression in itself that creates the room and demand for a better conduct at the table and inevitably calls for the guests or the other joinees at the table to keep up with the table manners to sync with the table.

When in a Corporate Setting

Since corporate events are largely to network, promote discussions, and create a healthy team environment, your etiquette and table manners should keep you ready for participation and maintain your professional image. A few things you can look at are:

1. Keep atleast one hand free to shake hands. In case you are sipping on a cocktail or a glass of wine, hold it in your left hand so that the right hand is always dry and clean.
2. When you move to eating your meals and are seated, be sure to stand up to greet someone who has arrived at your table.
3. Do not interrupt an ongoing conversation. In case you’d like to participate, wait for your turn while making eye contact.
4. Do not place bags, phones, sunglasses or other personal accessories on the table.
5. Maintain a good posture and keep your elbows off the table.
6. A good tip to know is that your dining plates are kept in the centre and the flatware sets are structured in a way that you work your way outward most to inward most as you progress with the courses.
7. It is considered bad table manners to make sounds and noises while waiting for your food.
8. While eating, use the small plate on your dining set to keep your used forks and spoons and other flatware sets.
9. Do not overload your plate. Try to opt for foods that make it easy for you to pause for discussions or conversations.
10. Do not talk while you are chewing your food.

When in a Social Setting

Social settings are far more relaxed as they are conducive to promoting social relationships. It could be a fine dining room, a restaurant, a cafe or even a pop up restaurant but the general ways of conduct and table manners remain the same nonetheless. However, to enjoy and create an enjoyable environment, table manners are essential. Here are a few things that can elevate your table etiquettes:

1. It could be luxurious table linen set up like decor but it’s meant to be utilised. Fold it in half and place it on your lap throughout your meal.
2. If you need to step away from your chair, place it on the chair or to the left of your table, indicating that you’ll be returning shortly.
3. If you’re eating with extended family or a group of acquaintances, wait for everyone to be served before you begin.
4. Avoid using your phone excessively to text, call or take pictures. Be present at the table.
5. It is considered good table manners to avoid stopping to help yourself when you are asked to pass a certain item on the table—like water, salt and pepper, etc.
6. Be mindful when you’re using luxury table linen to avoid excessive spilling and soiling. Do not use it to wipe the food that has accidentally spilled around your plate or wipe your hands clean.
7. Eat with your flatware sets as far as possible but if you need to use your hands, use only the tips of your fingers instead of having food all over your fingers and palm.
8. Your dining plates need not be polished absolutely clean but try to keep them as neat as possible during and after your meal.
9. When visiting a specialty restaurant with unfamiliar cuisine, feel free to ask the best method to consume the food to the steward or managing staff. This also enhances your dining experience.
10. When you are finished, do not push or stack away your plates. Wait for the cleaning staff to clean up. A sign for them can be to lay down your fork and knife diagonally across the plate, side by side, pointing at 10:00 and 4:00 on a clock face.

Why are Table Manners Important

To begin with, table manners create a good and lasting impression. It helps you feel socially aligned in business or formal social environments and be a part of nurturing and healthy environments informally.

Table manners also help you learn more about cultures and cuisines as every region has their own mannerisms and customs. For example: Continental or European Style the food is cut with the right hand and the left hand is used to hold the food while cutting and when eating. In American Style, cutting the food is done with the right hand and holding the food with the left, then switching hands to eat with the right hand. In some cultures it is considered inappropriate to use flatware sets to consume food as it is meant to be enjoyed with hands, even at a restaurant.

Besides, knowing your table etiquette makes you feel confident in social situations and you can help someone who is finding it challenging to grab the table know-how.

Never Too Late to Start

If you still find yourself getting accustomed to dining etiquettes, it might be a good idea to start practising at home so that you feel like a natural socially.

Begin by investing in a luxury tableware brand along with luxury table linen to create your own setup at home. Table Manners & Co offers a wide range of dinner sets, flatware, table linen, glassware and beyond that can be mixed and matched to your tastes.