Dining etiquette

Are you a stickler for dining etiquette, or do you think formal table manners belong firmly in the past? Put your knowledge of etiquette to the test by seeing how many of these rules you’re aware of…

Napkins are not to be used as tissues. They should be placed neatly over your lap, folded into a triangle or rectangle. At fine dining establishments the waiting staff will do this for you, if not just don’t use them to blow your nose.

Soup should always be consumed from the side of the spoon, never from the tip. Slurping is the dining equivalent of snoring, but possibly more embarrassing as fellow diners often won’t be as forgiving as your partner, or at least not to your face.

Regardless of whether you like your peas mushy or not, the correct way to eat them is to mash them with a fork and shovel them onto the prongs along with another squishy item, like a potato.

Cutting a slice of Brie incorrectly is sacrilege, particularly if anyone French is present. Never, ever cut across the nose, instead slice thinly along the entire length of the cheese. Round cheeses like Camembert are easier, simply cut them as if they were cakes.

According to etiquette experts Debrett’s, if you’re served a plate of food that is not to your liking you should eat it regardless so as not to offend your host. Puréed sprouts, liquorice consommé, sheep’s brain… whatever it is, eat up and pretend to enjoy it for the sake of politeness.

Salt and pepper should always be passed together, even if your dining companion has only requested the one.

Shellfish is definitely not date food. Oyster juices dribbling down your chin, and cracking a dressed crab only to send a cloud of mayonnaise flying to the next table are hardly seductive moves (trust us, we’ve been there). If you have the slightest iota of clumsiness about you avoid ordering these foods in company you wish to impress; in all other circumstances let hilarity ensue.


What breaches of etiquette have you committed? Is there anything else you consider to be a cardinal sin at the dinner table? Tweet us your thoughts here for a chance to win a signed copy of ‘What’s for Dinner? Second Helpings’ by Romilla Arber. This cookbook takes the strain out of meal planning with recipes for every day of the year, with a balanced mix of fish, meat and vegetable dishes for the whole family. Competition closes Sunday 3rd of February at 5 pm. The winner will be drawn at random.