Dos

Do try a little of everything served to you unless you know you are allergic to it.

Do avoid talking with your mouth full. Take small bites and you will find it is easier to answer questions and join in table talk.

Do wait until you have swallowed the food in your mouth before you take a sip of your beverage.

Do take a quick sip of water if a bite of food is too hot.

Do carry food to your mouth with an inward, not an outward, curve of the fork or spoon.

Do look into, not over, your cup or glass when drinking.

Do remember your posture at the table. Sit up straight and keep your arms (including elbows) off the table.

Do take medicine discreetly, preferably away from the table. If you must take medication at the table, do not mention it to anyone.

Do remove alien objects from your mouth with your fingers and place them at the edge of your plate.

Don’ts

Don’t overload your plate.

Don’t, under any circumstances, put your knife in your mouth.

Don’t mop your face with a napkin.

Don’t spread elbows when cutting meat. Keep them close to your sides when eating.

Don’t saw back and forth at your meat with a knife. Stroke the knife toward you.

Don’t chew with your mouth open.

Don’t smack your lips.

Don’t touch your head at the table.

Don’t blow on food that is hot. Wait until it cools. Eat soup from the side of the soup plate or bowl first, where it cools the fastest.

Don’t crumble crackers in your soup. Oyster crackers are sprinkled, a few at a time, into the oyster stew.

Don’t tell the other diners you need to use the restroom. Quietly say, “Excuse me,” place your napkin on the chair seat, and slide the chair under the table.

Don’t fidget and squirm. Both your feet should rest flat on the floor.

Don’t lean back in your chair. All four legs of the chair should rest on the floor.

Don’t reach across the table or across another person to get something. If it is out of reach, ask the closest person to pass it to you.

Don’t pick your teeth at the table, either with a toothpick or with your fingers. If something gets caught in your teeth, excuse yourself and take care of the problem in the privacy of your bathroom.

Don’t push your plate away from you when you have finished eating.

Don’t gesture with your fork, knife or spoon in your hand.

Don’t talk about your personal food likes or dislikes while eating.

Don’t dip your fingers or napkin into the water glass to wipe off a stain. Excuse yourself and go to the restroom.

Don’t complain about the food or service in front of your guests. Quietly excuse yourself and speak directly to the maitre d’ or manager. Guests must never complain about a problem with the food or service but should inform their host, whose duty it is to handle this matter.

Don’t place personal items, such as purses, briefcases or glasses, on the table. A small purse belongs on the lap and large purses near your feet.

Don’t do any grooming at the table. Excuse yourself and go to the restroom.

Don’t smoke before or during a meal. If you are seated in a smoking section, light up only after dessert is finished. In private homes and businesses, the absence of ashtrays means no smoking.