ETIQUESTIONS

I always find it rude when people are texting or talking on their phones while we are at the dining table. What is the rule about phone usage when you are seated at a dining table?

Telephone usage is such a part of our lives these days. It is a great idea to text or talk on the phone before you are seated for dinner. Once you sit at the dining table, put your phone away and return to it. It is considered rude to talk on the phone or text while at the dining table. If you are in a situation where you need to take a call or text, excuse yourself to go to the bathroom before reaching for your phone.

I am always thankful when exiting an elevator, and the people waiting to get on the elevator give me room to get out before they start getting on the elevator. It seems proper to do that, but is there some kind of elevator etiquette we all should know about?

Elevator etiquette is a real thing! It is always a good idea to wait for people to exit the elevator before you try and get on. Give them some room, smile, and be patient as they all exit before you get on the elevator.

During a recent party, I noticed someone at my table cutting up his entire steak into many small pieces before he began eating. That made me wonder if I was breaking some etiquette rule by not doing that. What is the rule about cutting up our food?

According to etiquette experts at Emily Post, you are only supposed to cut up one piece of food at a time. That means if you intend on eating three pieces of steak in a row, you should take the time between bites to cut your food into small pieces.