This document outlines proper etiquette and customs for dining out, including confirming reservations, arriving on time, greeting guests, napkin placement, cutlery use, ordering food and drinks, passing dishes, eating soup, course order, paying the bill, and general dining manners. Key points are to follow the host's lead, be polite to all guests, avoid messy foods or excessive drinking, and handle any issues privately with the server rather than publicly arguing over the bill.

2. Set of rules or customs which control accepted
behavior in a social group or situation.

3. 
As the host, confirmation must be taken a day or
two prior to the dinner meet.

Re-confirm with the restaurant before leaving for
the dinner meet.

Be sure to arrive on time.

Call ahead if you know you will be late.

Take care of all details ahead of time.

4. 
While finding a table on your own the host
should take the lead.

Greet your guests once they arrive and make
appropriate introduction.

Extend the best seat to your client or the most
important guest making sure that nobody else
feels unimportant.

5. 
Once seated, wait for your host to place the
napkin on his/her lap.

Gently unfold and place your napkin on your
lap when everyone is seated.

Never tuck your napkin into your belt, shirt or
collar.

6. 
When meal is finished, place your used napkin
to the right/left of your plate.

Do not use your napkin to wipe your face,
neck, chin, etc.

8. Continental/European Style :

Knife in right hand, fork in left hand.

Eat food with fork still in left hand.

11. 
Wait for the host to order, unless he/she directs
you to go first.

Do not order the most expensive item on the
menu.

Stay away from messy, hard to eat foods.

Do not order alcohol unless your host does.
Never order more than one drink.

12. 
Food is passed from left to right.

Pass the salt, pepper, butter and sauces to the right.

Always pass the salt and pepper as a pair.
BREAD

The person closest to the basket or plate offers it to
the person on his left, helps himself and passes to
the person on his right.

13. 
Soupspoons are usually too large to fit
completely in your mouth, therefore, sip
from the side of the spoon.

Spoon your soup away from you towards the
center or top of the bowl.

When finished, place the spoon on the right
side of the under plate.

16. 
Appetizer

Soup

Salad

Main course/Entrée

Dessert

After dinner beverage

17. 
It is the responsibility of the host to reach for the
bill.

As a host, you might show up early and give your
credit card in advance.

Another option is to tell your server (when you
are seated) that the bill should be given to you at
the end of the meal.

18. 
When the bill arrives and you find that
there is a mistake on the charges, do not
take out a calculator or try to argue about
the bill with the server.

Go to the head server’s station and resolve
the problem with the bill.

19. 
Do not put too much food into your mouth.

Do not talk with your mouth full.

Do not pile too much food on your plate.

Do not drink alcohol unless your host orders a drink first.

Do not drink more than one or two drinks. It is always
acceptable to refuse.

Never chew with your mouth open or make loud noises
when you eat.

20. 


When cutting food (meat, salad, etc.), cut enough for two
or three mouthfuls.
Taste your food first before adding salt.
Do not order one of the most expensive items on the
menu.

Do not offer to pay if you are an invited guest.

Do not ask for a “doggy bag”.

Never spit a piece of bad food or tough gristle into your
napkin.