http://www.bbc.co.

uk/dna/h2g2/A354782

Tissue http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:fzrNHA8hsasJ:www.stgiles-
international.com/General_cultural_information.pdf+how+to+sit+politely+when+eating+
in+England&hl=vi&gl=vn&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESgFXvHEpNa78-
7AYXGsyuBOsXjI-YBU0_fVKd-
GysiSaY0JXfycBFdPUAAIJgnhzY65443c9sFsSRDXL7kolrv8DffQvtqwYRj9ZkOHdiK
Nrrc78j1cPz0DYvM2WNSVeuvqn5KT&sig=AHIEtbQ0t_erTW5p4oPfxQTtZqnsbHIxA
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What is Proper Dining Etiquette?

I think there are two things you should consider in this situation. The first
is that you might just examine your surroundings and see if you
think it looks like the kind of stuffy place that would frown upon
your European style of dining.

Many thumb their noses at proper dining etiquette and barrel forward
with whatever suits them, but that is not polite.

Thumbing your nose at proper dining etiquette and barreling forward

with whatever suits you is not polite.

Some people disregard certain rules of dining etiquette because they feel,
say, wearing a jacket to dinner is just not them. Of course that act of
rebellion may just result in this person wearing an ill-fitting,
borrowed coat during the meal. Dear Reader, you're not betraying
your identity by altering your eating habits. You are showing a
refreshing respect for the traditions of others.

It Doesn’t Hurt to Have Good Manners

The next thing you should do is consider your mother. If it's not a terribly
big deal, eat in the traditional American style for that meal since you
are already well versed in it. You may find that the change of pace
will slow things down for you, and that change might allow you to
enjoy your meal and the company even more. Oh, and you will
certainly please your mother, which is always a desired effect.

Again, you shouldn't worry about whether you are giving in to the Ma'am.
If you're eating with your mother and her friends at their
local bistro, you will impress those around you and completely
please your mother by politely eating how everyone else is eating.

When Can You Use European Dining Manners?

Now, keep in mind that I don't want you to be a sheep, though. If you find
that the restaurant or dining situation is casual and relaxed , you
might pull your European Eating Trick out of your magic bag.
Make it a fun little lesson in international cultures and speak with a
French accent while you compliment everyone's technique.

Of course, this should not be a way to pull a fast one over on your mother.
It's not terribly mannerly to make a point at your mother's
expense--or anyone else's for that matter. This should be an
opportunity for you to show how well your mother raised you--even
if that means saving your European style dining manners for
another time.

The English have tea in the afternoon, usually around 4 P.M. This meal consists of tea,
small sandwiches, and pastries. High tea is not a more elaborate version of tea. It is, in
fact, an informal replacement for supper, which is eaten later in the evening.

Dining Etiquette

- Always be punctual in England. Arriving a few minutes early for

safety is acceptable.

- A simple handshake is the standard greeting (for both men and

women) for business occasions and for visiting a home.

- Eye contact is seldom kept during British conversations.

- To signal that something is to be kept confidential or secret, tap your
nose.

Table manners

- Put knife in our right hand and a fork in the left, and neither is laid
down until the end of the meal. Then they are placed together
vertically on the plate. Everything is cut and then eaten from the fork
in the left hand. No elbows on the table; eat everything on your plate

Fish and chips

Salt, malt vinegar, tomato sauce (ketchup)

Yorkshire pudding

Trifle

Beef roast

ne of the joys of living in London or any other large English city is the variety of cuisines
available in the restaurants, and the range of establishments from fast food and “greasy
spoon” cafés to Michelin starred haute cuisine restaurants (not that I’ve managed to eat in
any of the latter as yet). You can choose from Italian, Indian, Chinese, French, Greek,
Thai, Japanese, Malay, Middle Eastern, Mexican, Caribbean – and that is probably in just
one street in London! And although I haven’t included English food in that list, it is
becoming increasingly possible to find what has become known as “modern British”
cuisine, which often takes the best of different traditions and combines them with high
quality local ingredients. But if the high prices in some of our restaurants puts them
beyond your budget, you can still try traditional English dishes in cafés and pubs – see
my next tip for an idea of what to look for.

All English restaurants have by law to display a menu, with prices, outside the door, so
there should be no nasty shocks when you get inside. Once through the door, all but the
cheapest establishments will expect you to wait to be seated. It is usual to order your
starter (if one is wanted) and main course first, but the decision about dessert can wait
until after your main course.

The English tend to be very polite to waiters in restaurants. When we want a waiter to
come to our table, we raise a hand but don’t usually call out or snap our fingers. In fact,
we tend to be polite to a fault – when the waiter comes past and asks, “How is your
meal?” we will almost invariably say “good” or “fine” even if we are not especially
impressed, and we will only send food back if it is not what we ordered or is close to
inedible! Don’t feel you have to do the same, but do be aware that your waiter may not be
used to receiving complaints, so be polite and smile even as you complain.

We also tend to be quite conservative and restrained in our table manners, and to stick to
certain conventions. For instance, if you put your knife and fork on your plate, a waiter
will think that you have finished eating. If you want to take a break but have not yet
finished, place your knife and fork by the side of your plate or resting on its rim. A good
waiter will not clear anything from the table until everyone has finished eating (unlike the
practice I have observed in the US when plates are cleared as each diner finishes – that is
considered rude in the UK). Smoking has been banned in all public places since July
2007, so if you want to light up between courses you’ll have to pop outside – a great
blessing, I have to say, for us non-smokers who sit at the table next to yours!

When it comes to paying the bill, check carefully whether service has been included. You
don’t have to pay it of course, but as with complaints, so with service – the British will
usually pay up rather than make a fuss. If you’re using plastic, do ask your waiter or
waitress if they actually get these tips, and if not, consider paying the service charge
element in cash. Also when paying with plastic, watch out for the ruse whereby you are
prompted to add a further tip to the bill even though one has already been included. If
there is no service charge included, a tip of 10% is considered normal. But there is no
need to tip if eating in a self-service café or in a pub (other than gastro-pub, which is
more like a restaurant anyway).

So, enjoy your meal – and do write a tip for VT about all the great restaurants you will
surely discover while visiting us :-)

ietnam Travel Tips makes the tourists aware of the following prevailing social etiquettes:

• Vietnamese people avoid loud conversations and using too many gestures while
conversing as it is considered very rude.
• Pointing fingers or calling anyone with fingers pointed upward is impolite and it
is better to use the entire hand with fingers placed downwards.
• The Vietnamese are a bit conservative and it is better to avoid kind of physical
contact in public especially with the opposite sex.
• To give respect to older persons, the Vietnamese usually bow their head and it is
not in vogue to shake hands with an older person and only an elder person is
supposed to touch a younger person's head.
• The Vietnamese people use both their hands while passing on any object and
standing with arms on the hips is considered improper.
• If you are invited to any Vietnamese household during your tour in Vietnam then
it is considered polite to bring a small gift for host and especially for the woman
in the family and most suitable gift items comprise of sweets, flowers, fruits,
incense or items for daily use and always remember that never present
handkerchiefs or anything black as a gift because it is considered ominous by the
Vietnamese.
 • While taking food don't take any seat in the table before you are shown your
respective seat and the elderly people usually sit before the others.
• The Vietnamese use chopsticks and rice bowls as their eating utensils and spoons
should be held with the left hand while eating soup according to Vietnamese table
manners.

If you have an invitation to watch cricket or the regatta wear your tweed sport coat
or blue blazer.
NOT TRUE! You can wear anything text taken from and copyright of projcetbritain.com

An invitation to someone's home is more common in England than in the rest of

Europe.
I wouldn't know. We do visit friends and family though.

Do not discuss business at dinner in someone's home unless the host initiates the
conversation.
True. They will think you are boring if you do. It is best to keep work matters at work

In England arrive at least 10-20 minutes after the stated time for social events at
home. In Scotland and Wales, arrive on time.
I would arrive on time. If my guest arrived early I might not be ready.

Host or hostess always initiates first toast, which is usually only given at a formal
dinner.
Toasts (when glasses are raised and some makes a short speech) are usually only given at
special occasions like formal dinners, birthdays and weddings.

At a formal dinner, do not smoke until after the toast to the Queen or until
otherwise indicated by the host.
Guests at a formal dinner may not light a cigarette until after the Queens Toast or until
the host gives permission. At a very formal dinner you should not leave the table until
after the toast.

When finished eating, place knife and fork side by side on the plate at the 5:25
position.
Wrong They should be placed at 12 o clock (12:00)

You should leave a very small amount of food on your plate when finished eating.
Not necessarily true but if you do it means that you have had enough to eat. Leave too
much and your host will think you hated their food.

The guest of honour should initiate leaving a party.

Can be true but if the party went on too long I would make an excuse and leave.
When the host folds his napkin, this signals that the meal is over.
Never heard of this one. If the host folds his napkin and puts it on the table it means he
has finished eating. Other people may still be eating.

Leave a dinner party shortly after dinner ends.

Not necessarily true, depends on the host. They may want to chat more.

Write a thank you note to the hostess.

Yes, that is always a lovely thing to do

If you go to someone's house for a meal, take a bottle of wine or some flowers for the
lady of the house

Time

British people place considerable value on punctuality. If you agree to meet

friends at three o'clock, you can bet that they'll be there just after three.
Since Britons are so time conscious, the pace of life may seem very rushed.
In Britain, people make great effort to arrive on time. It is often considered
impolite to arrive even a few minutes late. If you are unable to keep an
appointment, it is expected that you call the person you are meeting. Some
general tips follow.

You should arrive:

* At the exact time specified – for dinner, lunch, or appointments with professors,
doctors, and other professionals.

* Any time during the hours specified for teas, receptions, and cocktail parties.

* A few minutes early: for public meetings, plays, concerts, movies, sporting events,
classes, church services, and weddings.

If you are invited to someone's house for dinner at half past seven, they will expect you to
be there on the dot. An invitation might state "7.30 for 8", in which case you should
arrive no later than 7.50. However, if an invitation says "sharp", you must arrive in plenty
of time.

Invitations

“ Drop in anytime” and “come see me soon” are idioms often used in social settings but
seldom meant to be taken literally. It is wise to telephone before visiting someone at
home. If you receive a written invitation to an event that says “RSVP”, you should
respond to let the person who sent the invitation know whether or not you plan to attend.
Never accept an invitation unless you really plan to go. You may refuse by saying,
“Thank you for inviting me, but I will not be able to come.” If, after accepting, you are
unable to attend, be sure to tell those expecting you as far in advance as possible that you
will not be there.

Although it is not necessarily expected that you give a gift to your host, it is considered
polite to do so, especially if you have been invited for a meal. Flowers, chocolate, or a
small gift are all appropriate. A thank-you note or telephone call after the visit is also
considered polite and is an appropriate means to express your appreciation for the
invitation.

Dress

Everyday dress is appropriate for most visits to peoples' homes. You may want to dress
more formally when attending a holiday dinner or cultural event, such as a concert or
theatre performance.

Introduction and Greeting

It is proper to shake hands with everyone to whom you are introduced, both men and
women. An appropriate response to an introduction is "Pleased to meet you". If you want
to introduce yourself to someone, extend you hand for a handshake and say "Hello, I
am....". Hugging is only for friends.

Dining

When you accept a dinner invitation, tell your host if you have any dietary restrictions.
He or she will want to plan a meal that you can enjoy. The evening meal is the main meal
of the day in most parts of Britain.

Food may be served in one of several ways: "family style," by passing the serving plates
from one to another around the dining table; "buffet style," with guests serving
themselves at the buffet; and "serving style," with the host filling each plate and passing
it to each person. Guests usually wait until everyone at their table has been served before
they begin to eat. Food is eaten with a knife and fork and dessert with a spoon and fork.

ever eat off a knife when having a meal.

isiting people in their houses

When being entertained at someone's home it is nice to take a gift for the host and
hostess. A bottle of wine, bunch of flowers or chocolates are all acceptable.

See also our other page on Social Customs

Sending a thank you note is also considered appropriate.

Eating

We eat continental style, with fork in the left hand and the knife in the right.

Eating Etiquette - rules for eating in England