Dinner Etiquette

JC Penny Course Handout

June 9, 2008

Dinner Etiquette, Dining Out & Manners

The Tipping Point Word Review:

SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article:

1.	fascinating	a.	possible
2	reaffirmation	b.	occurrence/event
3.	strategy	c.	appearance
4.	potential	d.	confirm again
5.	profoundly	e.	different
6.	emergence	f.	extreme
7.	ebb	g.	interesting
8.	phenomenon	h.	deeply
9.	contrary	i.	recede
10.	radical	j.	plan

What are syllables? What is an epidemic?

*****This Week’s Book Review : “The Etiquette Advantage in Business”

Author : Peggy Post and Peter Post (Pages : 580)

Definition of etiquette: (n) manners, politeness, socially acceptable behavior, a code that governs the expectations of social behavior, according to the contemporary traditional norm within a society, social class, or group. Usually unwritten, it may be codified in written form. Etiquette usually reflects formulas of conduct in which society or tradition have made common place

Etiquette: The Big Idea

As the modern workplace becomes more and more competitive, personal skills can make all the difference in ensuring success. Peggy Post and Peter Post show you how to meet the challenges in business with grace and poise that will help you improve your chances of business and personal success.

The book provides practical information on business and personal actions and activities. It gives you guidelines on how to look for a job, what to do during interviews; how to write persuasive business letters, memos; how to plan and lead productive meetings; how to entertain and much more. All to give you the advantage you need in business:

9 - Business Entertainment : Business Meal / Entertainment Etiquette:

• Consider the guest’s taste
• Chose a restaurant you know
• Invite well in advance
• Make it clear if you are or are not the host
• Advise guest of what to expect
• Reserve a table ahead of time
• Reconfirm with your guest

12 - Meal Taboos:

• Bribing
• Complaining
• Slouching
• Smacking or crunching
• Chewing improperly
• Reaching across the table
• Sopping and plate pushing
• Showing off
• Over indulging
• Talking over or speaking loudly
• Grooming at the table
• Picking teeth / using toothpick at the table***********************

“Manners are used in life for good people so that other people know that you were raised correctly and that you are civilized. Manners are very important in life. Good ones that is. You can get attention if you use proper etiquette. Politeness is what most guests look for.”

Table manners are the etiquette used when eating. This includes the appropriate use of utensils. Different cultures have different standards for table manners.

******American Table Manners: General Behavior (From Wikipedia)

• Chew with your mouth closed.
• Do not talk at an excessively loud volume.
• Refrain from coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose at the table.
• Never tilt back your chair while at the table. Sit in a relaxed and comfortable position, but do not "slouch."
• Do not "play with" your food, or with your table utensils.
• Do not make loud or unusual noises while eating.
• Do not single out, scold or tell someone who has shown poor table manners.
• It is generally acceptable to rest your fore-arms on the table, though you should take care to never rest your elbows on the table.
• Always ask the host or hostess to be excused before leaving the table.
• Do not stare at anyone while he or she is eating. It is considered rude.
• Never talk on your phone or text a friend at the table. If an urgent matter arises, ask host or hostess to be excused, and step away from the table.
• Do not slurp your food or eat loudly.
• Burping or sneezing at the table should be avoided. If you must do so, you may request that your action be excused.
• Excessive flatulence is generally frowned upon
• Never tell people what to do other than someone's who responsible for other people at the table.
• Men should not wear a hat at the dinner table.

********New Word: PHRASE MATCH: Match the following phrases that best represents the meaning of the underlined word

1.	To ensure that something happens	a.	it is more than what is needed or normal
2	If you persuaded me to eat lunch with you, you	b.	tools and related apparatus used for something
3.	To indulge in something	c.	is to keep oneself from doing, having, etc.
4.	If something is excessive	d.	slump and droop, bend at the back
5.	To refrain from something	e.	it is common, universal, wide-ranging, broad
6.	If something is general	f.	is to make certain it occurs
7.	Utensils are	g.	talked me into it, convinced me to do it
8.	To slouch is to	h.	is to be impolite, bad-mannered, offensive
9.	Flatulence is	i.	farts, gas, the act of passing gas
10.	To be rude	j.	is to allow (oneself) the pleasure of