I recently posted a reel on Instagram with Manuela Donatone of @ItalianFoodTherapy where she showcased the multiple courses of a customary Italian meal. As we discussed the similarities and differences between the table customs, we both felt very strongly that engaging conversation makes a meal more ... [ Read More ]
Job Interview Skills Over a Meal: Dining Etiquette Quiz
A second interview is often conducted over a meal as a standard practice when the candidate applies for a role that requires strong customer/client interaction. The goal of a lunch interview is for the employer to discreetly observe the potential hire and determine whether they are a corporate fit ... [ Read More ]
Dining Etiquette Q&A: How to Avoid Getting Stuck “Splitting” the Bill
It’s happened to all of us. You are eating out with friends and you and your date are having a modest meal while the rest of your group is ordering multiple bottles of wine and appetizers that you are NOT eating and drinking. The bill comes and someone at the table says to the server, “Just split it ... [ Read More ]
How to Politely Split a Birthday Bill Among Friends
Birthdays are joyful occasions when the honoree is spending time with their friends, often celebrating over a meal at a restaurant. However, things can get sticky when the bill arrives and there is confusion around who is responsible for paying, and no one is pulling out their wallet. The following ... [ Read More ]
Culinary Courtesy: Answering Your Restaurant Etiquette Qs
So many of us look forward to dining out, whether with a partner, group of friends, or someone new. For those raising little ones, the power and appeal of this time together is undeniable—being able to relax for a moment, savor your food and finally catch up on everything that’s been going on in ... [ Read More ]
Buffet Etiquette: 10 Mannerly Tips
"Eating at a buffet is like embarking on a flavorful adventure; every dish is a new chapter in your gastronomic journey." Perhaps you are attending a wedding where the food is served buffet style, or you have an upcoming conference with buffet stations for attendees. Or maybe you have summer plans ... [ Read More ]
Table Manners for Teens
I’m often asked how best to approach table manners for teens. It doesn’t matter what your grandmother taught you, or whether or not you have ever attended an etiquette course, there are some dining tips that will assist you and your teen. With a little practice and a lot of modeling, their comfort ... [ Read More ]
Spring Dining Etiquette Suggestions
Hints of Spring’s arrival are slowly emerging—it officially begins March 20—and the warmer weather opens up all sorts of dining possibilities. If you’re looking forward to a special meal, whether fine dining or something more casual, knowing what to expect will make you feel more comfortable and ... [ Read More ]
What Is a Charger Plate and How Is It Used?
Setting the proper table is a skill, and having an understanding of the small details specific to dining etiquette pays off when entertaining a guest, a client or an entire wedding party. One such detail is the charger plate. Many people are confused about the oversized plate that sits on the table ... [ Read More ]
The Etiquette of When You Should—And Shouldn’t—Send Food Back at a Restaurant
There are reasons to send back your food at a restaurant that make good sense, and then there are others that don’t pass the “mustard”. As we dine out more and more after a long pause, it doesn’t hurt to brush up on our dining etiquette. When can you feel comfortable that your request to send back a ... [ Read More ]
Why You Should Avoid Eating Lunch at Your Desk
Although your office setup may look quite different from just a few years ago—you might be working from home, or your workplace may have an entirely new configuration to keep germs at bay—you may still feel the pull to “work through” lunch by juggling your salad and your laptop at your desk. Perhaps ... [ Read More ]
How To Eat Tricky Seafood: Post-Pandemic Dining Etiquette Refresher
Oscar Wilde said, “The world was my oyster until I used the wrong fork.” There is definitely truth in humor! Many admit their social skills have gotten rusty from lack of use during the pandemic; it’s time to refresh and update our daily routine. Fundraisers, galas and basic business meals are alive ... [ Read More ]
Refreshed Dining Etiquette Tips Post Covid
According to the CDC, more than 161 million people in the United States are fully vaccinated. Understandably, people are anxious to get back to some form of normalcy. After social distancing for over a year and having to order curb service and take out, most people long to reconnect over a meal at a ... [ Read More ]
Post-Pandemic Tipping Etiquette
Many employees encountered layoffs and cutbacks during the pandemic. And many people began utilizing services such as curb service for their necessities and food deliveries for their daily meals. Those who could found it in their heart to tip generously in support of those working so hard to make ... [ Read More ]
Pandemic Dining Etiquette
The etiquette of the dining table has taken a different tone since the pandemic as everyone is much more mindful of sharing germs. Knowing how to navigate the rules of the table has always been an important professional skill. However, some of the etiquette tips that were once a gold standard have ... [ Read More ]