Etiquette Boss: Mind your table manners

Dining Don’ts: We generally eat in a relaxed manner when at home, but mind our p’s and q’s when we are dining out. However, a reminder is always good, as old habits surface even in the most formal dining occasions.

Here is a reminder to avoid some common etiquette blunders:

• Do not push your plate away when you are finished; instead place your utensils together on your plate, in the 4:20 position, to indicate that the plate may be removed.
• Do not hold a cup or mug of coffee or tea with both hands while drinking. A coffee mug may be gripped by the forefinger, but a small tea cup must be held between the thumb and forefinger.
• Do not draw food off your fork through clenched teeth.
• Do not get so animated in dinner conversation that you point with your knife or fork while speaking.
• Do not place appetizers directly in your mouth from a service platter. First place in a saucer or a napkin and eat in two bites. Appearing ravenous is seriously gauche.
• Do not drink from one hand while holding your fork in another. Place the fork down before taking up the glass.
• Do not pick up dropped cutlery in a restaurant, unless it is in a position that would endanger other patrons. Ask to have it replaced.
• Do not pat your mouth with your napkin while holding your knife or fork. Multitasking is not good dining etiquette.
• Do not polish the flatware or glassware with your napkin. If water stains are evident, ask to have them replaced without explanation. The reason will be obvious to the waiter.

BEAUTY TIPS:   One Month Anti-Aging Experiment

Week Two: Toning the bottom half of your face will do much to improve your looks. I have decided to work on the bottom half before the top, because it usually shows sag first. Place two clean forefingers at the corners of your mouth and pull outward just a bit. Try to pout against the pull. This tension helps to strengthen the mouth muscles.

Ten repetitions of this exercise, twice per day, will show results within a few weeks. It will help to bring blood to the facial muscles, and produce a healthier glow as well as tighten slack muscles.

Phillipa Morrish is the President of Etiquette Training International.