Dining Decorum

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ET I Q U E T T E T I PS POLISHED PEYTON

by Jennifer Daniel

As we welcome this new year, one of my resolutions is to cook with the girls more at home and to try new recipes together. While my list seems to consist of mostly entrées, theirs consists of mainly dessert. As we try to compromise, I’ll sneak in a few dining etiquette lessons to practice when enjoying some of our favorite foods and beverages.

B-M-W: Sit down. Look at the place setting from the left and remember BMW: Bread, Meal, Water/Wine. You’ll never forget where your bread plate is again.

Bacon: Eat bacon with a knife and fork unless it is very crisp; then you may use your hands.

Beverages: Blot before you take a sip of anything during a meal.

Bread/Rolls: Break off one bite of your roll at a time. Butter that piece and eat it. Never butter the entire roll at once. Chewing: For children, chewing with their mouth closed normally takes practice. Remind them that smaller bites help and continue to provide encouragement.

Dessert Silverware: This silverware is placed horizontally at the top of your main plate and may be a fork or spoon (or both), depending on what is being served.

Fried Chicken & French Fries: Eat with fingers at picnics or casual family gatherings. If ordering fried chicken in a five star dining establishment, be ready to use a fork and knife.

Napkins: No matter whether paper, linen, or cotton, the sooner using a napkin during a meal becomes a habit for your child, the happier everyone will be. Salt: Salt your food only after tasting it. To do so before may insult your hostess, your mother, or the chef.

Sushi: Eat sushi in a single bite. No cutting.

Tacos (hard and soft shell): Pick up with both hands and bite. Use a fork to eat any filling that falls out.

Practice dining etiquette at home with your children. Use nights out in special restaurants to practice what they have learned. Most importantly, enjoy your time together.

Jennifer Daniel is a graduate of The Protocol School of Washington and she may be reached at Jennifer@polishedpeyton.com or visit her website at polishedpeyton.com.

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