How to Follow British Table Manners

Manners are arguably the cornerstone of British society and table manners are no exception. Most Brits strictly follow table manners, as they are rigorously scrutinized in British culture, particularly when eating out and at social events. If you are traveling to Britain, it pays to be aware of and follow British table manners or you could risk appearing rude and vulgar to the natives.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Follow the host's lead to determine when to eat after being served. When the host eats or gives the guests permission, you can eat.

2. Hold your utensils properly. The fork goes in the left hand with the tines pointing down, and the knife goes in the right hand.

3. Hold a soup spoon in your right hand and scoop the soup away from you. You can also tip the bowl away from you.

4. Hold stemware by the stem rather than by the glass.

5. Keep your elbows off the table.

6. Butter a piece of bread that you have broken off from a roll rather than buttering the whole roll at one time. Do not cut the bread with your knife. Bread can be used to absorb gravy or sauce, but it must be on the end of a fork, not held.

7. Bring the food to you rather than leaning forward toward the food. Always maintain an upright posture at the table.

8. Avoid opening your mouth while chewing, as well as talking with food in your mouth. Finish chewing and swallow before taking a drink or another bite.

9. Avoid reaching over another person's plate for a serving dish.

10. Ask for dishes to be passed to you if they are not directly in front of you. If you are asked to pass something, always pass to the right unless the person is to your immediate left. If the dish you are passing has a handle, pass the dish so as to offer the handle to the recipient.

11. Ask the host to be excused if you have to leave the table during dinner.

12. Keep utensils on your plate and off the table after they have been used. When not in use, the fork should be at 8 o'clock and the knife should be at 4 o'clock.

13. Indicate you are finished by placing your fork and knife together at 5 o'clock on your plate. The knife should be on the right with the blade in, and the fork should be on the left with the tines up toward the ceiling.

Tips & Warnings

• Always keep the salt and pepper together when you pass them. Even if someone only asks for one, pass them both.
• Try to clean your plate if you can. Don't take more food than you think you can finish.
• At the end of the meal, you should not refold the napkin and place it back on the table setting. This is considered rude, and it implies that the host would reuse the napkin without laundering it. Just leave it loose at the side of the plate.