1. Presented by:
O. Nicholas Dulcio
Co-Advisor, BEEP Student Chapter
Coordinator, University Advancement

2.  Importance of knowing proper dining etiquette
 Pre-Dining Rules of Thumb
 Proper use of utensils and appropriate meal course
movement
 Socially acceptable table manners
 Appropriate table conversation topics
 Questions

3. Good etiquette skills make lasting
impressions and help aid career
advancement
Approximately 80% of second interviews
are associated with a business meal
Nearly 60% of the final hiring decisions for
recent college graduates is based on the
candidate’s professionalism

4.  Greetings
 Rise if you are seated
 Smile and extend your hand
 Repeat the other person’s name in your greeting
 A good handshake is important—it should be firm and held for
three-four seconds
 Name Tag
 Name Tag should be placed on the right hand side of your front
shoulder area
 Allows for a natural progression for the eyes to the name tag
 Dress
 Follow dress code that is requested on invitation or suggested by
the host/hostess

6.  Start from outside and work your
way in
 Should not touch the tablecloth
once used
 Hold fork in your left hand and
knife in right hand
o Index finger should be on back on
fork and top of knife.
 If a piece drops, leave it and ask
for a replacement from server
 Place knife and fork in center of
the dinner plate, facing in, when
meal is completed
 Place your napkin on lap after
everyone has been seated and let
it remain until meal is finished
 Once finished place napkin
folded loosely to the right of your
plate
 Napkin is used to dab corners of
your mouth
 Napkin should be placed on your
chair if you need to leave table
 If napkin drops, ask server for
another one

7.  Soup
 Hold spoon with thumb across the top of the handle, not in palm of hand
 Take soup spoon away from you rather than toward you
 Sip from the side of the spoon not front
 Do not blow or slurp soup when eating
 Place crackers on plate and eat with soup, exception; oyster crackers
(clam chowder)
 Soup spoon finish position is right of service plate or in cup or bowl
 Salad
 Use knife and fork to cut lettuce into small pieces
 Lightly drizzle dressing atop salad with dressing spoon, if none, ask your
server
 When passing dressing, pass to the right with handle of serving spoon
facing the person

8. Entrée (Main Course)
 Wait until everyone is seated before eating
 Pace yourself, everyone should start and finish around the same
time
 When finished eating do not push your plate away from you
 Taste food before seasoning it, try everything on your plate;
exceptions allergies
 Place any food in your mouth with a utensil, never use your hands
 Service is to your left so pass items to your right and salt and pepper
together; items are cleared from your right
 Dessert
 Utensils will be provided to you (Fork or Spoon)
 Placed in front of plate for formal dinners
o Slide fork and spoon towards you before beginning dessert, do not pick-up from
table
 Place utensil on dessert plate when finished

9. Bread/Rolls
 Take one piece and place on bread plate
 When passing to someone, remember to also include butter
 Use butter spreader and place a “dab” of butter on the bread plate
 Tear bread into small pieces and butter each piece as you eat it
o Do not butter entire piece at one time
 Beverages
 Water, Tea (Iced or Hot), Soft Drinks, Coffee
 Drink from same spot on glass or cup, do not chew ice
 When adding sweetener, tear a small slit on top of the packet and
gently pour into your glass; do not shake or thump packet before
opening
 Stir in a smooth, swift motion, do not click your glass or cup, place
spoon on saucer when finished
 Place hand over cup to inform server you do not want a beverage
instead of turning cup over

10. Keep elbows off the table, and your unused hand in your
lap
Do not talk with mouth full and chew with mouth closed
Do not talk excessively loud and give others equal
opportunities for conversation
Do not clean up spills with your own napkin and don't
touch items that have dropped on the floor; ask your
server for help

11. Do not use a toothpick or apply makeup at the table
Do not blow your nose or cough persistently at the
dinner table, excuse yourself to visit the restroom
Turn off your cell phone or switch it to silent or vibrate
mode before sitting down to eat, and leave it in your
pocket or purse
 If you must make or take a call, excuse yourself from the
table and step outside

12.  Weather
 Arts & Entertainment
 Sports
 News
 Work/School
 Family
 Travel
 Hobbies
 Hometown
 Celebrity Gossip
Financial
Politics
Religion
Intimate Matters
Death
Appearance
Personal Gossip
Offensive Jokes