Etiquette Boss: Ringing true for good manners

YOUR BEST INVESTMENT: Etiquette for Children

Table Napkin and Ring Protocol: Can you imagine that our small table napkin was once a large tablecloth? Oh, yes. Not only were hands wiped on tablecloths during multi-course gormandizing with hands, but if a guest offended his royal host, his ‘square’ of the tablecloth would be cut out, so he had nothing on which to wipe his messy hands. This practice is the origin of the snobbish saying, “We are not of the same cloth.”

Regardless of size evolution, wiping hands remains the accepted use of the napkin. Tucking it into the neckline as a preventive tool against spills is a breach of napkin etiquette, except in young children.

Remove the napkin through the top of the ring, and place the ring on the top left hand side of the plate. Do not open by shaking either, but discreetly under the table.

Your teen should also be taught how to set a napkin on a table correctly. The point should be set toward the diner before the meal, but the diner places the point toward the center of the table after the meal.

If no napkin ring is used, one option is to fold the napkin and place to the left of the fork (not under the fork). Ensure that the folded side is toward the plate. At the end of the meal, the napkin should always be loosely picked up in the middle (never crumpled) and placed to the plate’s left.

YOUR BEST APPEARANCE: Celebrity Beauty Secrets

1. Catherine Zeta-Jones uses beer to keep her hair in red carpet shape. Shampoo, towel dry and then massage a cup of beer into hair. Cover with plastic cap for five minutes before rinsing.

2. Denise Richards uses fresh avocado as a deep conditioner. Whisk avocado meat with some olive oil and lather into hair. Leave for 15 minutes under plastic wrap before rinsing.

3. Sandra Bullock uses Preparation H around her eyes to prevent sagging and wrinkles.

4. Cate Blanchett uses grapeseed oil on her face before going into the shower. The steam keeps her skin moist and hydrated.

Phillipa Morrish is the president of Etiquette Training International.

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