How to Take Small Bites for Dining Etiquette

The dos and don'ts you've learned throughout your life about dining etiquette, like chewing with your mouth closed and not speaking with your mouth full, all come down to one simple concept--taking small bites when eating. By taking smaller bites, you can chew more easily and quickly and keep up with dinner conversation without sacrificing your manners.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Pick up a small portion of food on your fork or spoon and put it in your mouth. Make sure the bite of food can be chewed and swallowed quickly so that eating does not hinder your dinner conversation. If you have to chew it for more than ten seconds, you've taken too big of a bite.

2. Keep your mouth closed when you're chewing. Wait until you've completely swallowed the food in your mouth before speaking or taking a sip of your beverage.

3. Cut off one small piece of meat at a time, rather than cutting several bites. As some meats are tougher and take longer to chew, make sure you cut off a very small piece at a time.

4. Tear off a piece of biscuit and butter it, rather than buttering the whole biscuit at once. This way you can take small bites. If you put the whole biscuit to your mouth, you're more likely to take a large bite.

Tips & Warnings

• If you find your salad has a big piece of lettuce that may be difficult to politely put into your mouth, pick up your knife and cut it.