How to Eat Neatly

You've just received a dinner party invitation and want to make a good impression on your host or hostess and the other guests. One of the best ways to accomplish this is to practice good table manners and eat neatly. Here's how to improve your table manners so you'll make a great impression.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Use your hands only to eat foods traditionally eaten with the hands, such as sandwiches, chicken wings and corn on the cob, and only if everyone else is eating these foods with their hands. It's better to go away hungry than leave a bad impression.

2. Learn which utensils to each with. Use the smaller fork for the salad course, the larger fork for the main course and the soup spoon for the soup course. Use a knife to cut pieces of food into smaller bites. It's hard to eat neatly when your mouth is overstuffed.

3. Practice using your napkin correctly. When not in use, neatly spread your napkin out over your lap. Use your napkin as needed to gently dab your mouth and fingers. Do not rub your face, mouth or fingers forcefully with a napkin at the table. Place the used napkin back on your lap when done.

4. Eat slowly and chew small bites with your mouth closed. Limit noises that you make while chewing, drinking or swallowing.

5. Ask to have items on the table passed to you instead of reaching across the table. Simply ask the person nearest to the item you want to pass it around the table to you. Reaching across the table increases the likelihood that you will spill or knock over something and cause a mess.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid picking at or playing with your food. It's not only bad manners, but it's messy.
• Never talk with food or beverage in your mouth.