Tips on proper manner at High Table Dinners

As I would be a MC for a high table dinner held in Hong Kong Club next week as well as attending another one early next month. I would like to draw some attention to the western etiquette. Here are some I find on Internet for reference.



Before Dining

• Be punctual. Arrive not more than 10 minutes earlier or later than the scheduled time.
• Better stand up and shake hands with guests when greeting them.
• Never put things other than food or tableware, e.g. spectacles, handbag, etc, on the table.
• Do not sit bolt upright or too casually (e.g. leaning on the back of the chair or resting your chin in your hands, etc.)
• Break the ice by introducing yourself to people around you.

While Having the Meal

	Always break the bread with your fingers, butter a small piece before placing it into the mouth. Do not butter the whole bread and bite it with the mouth.
	Usually the tableware is placed in order of use. Take the ones on the outside first.
	Hold the knife in right hand and fork in left hand when cutting the steak. Rather than cutting the whole steak all at once, cut & eat a small piece at a time.
	Tip the soup spoon slightly away from you and fill it by moving it away from you, not towards you.
	Do not spit a piece of food into your napkin. Place the piece of food on the edge of the plate using a fork.
	Cross your fork and knife (blade inwards) at 8 and 4 on a clock face to tell the waiter you are resting.
	Place both your fork and knife (blade inwards) at 4 on a clock face to tell the waiter you are finished with the course.

Show respect to the speaker by stopping all activities in progress (e.g. eating, chatting, etc.)

Others

• Convey the food to the mouth by the left hand with the fork-a European practice; which is common in Hong Kong. Or you may put down the knife and convey the food by the right hand with the fork-this is an American practice which is less common in Hong Kong.
• Do not gesticulate with the knife or the fork while talking.
• Remove the lipstick mark on the glass with your hand, and then wipe your hand with the napkin.
• After eating something with your hands directly, better clean your hands with water provided by the restaurant and then dry your hands with the napkin.
• Don't push the plate forward after meal..

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