I have been interviewed for a YouTube video which will appear soon.
Etiquette is changing, because we are living different lifestyles.
Here are some of the questions I was asked:
1 Q On which side of your dinner plate is your bread plate?
1 A On the left. You reach for the glass with your right hand, because most people are right handed. Therefore your left hand is used for your bread on the left.
2 Q What should I remember to keep other people at the table happy?
2 A If you see a jug of custard or cream, make sure you don't take most of it, leaving insufficient for the others. Always check the number of people who are sharing food before taking your share.
3 Q Should you wear your napkin in your lap or round your neck?
3 A It's usual to wear your napkin on your lap in a restaurant if you are over the age of five and have normal adult intelligence. Unless you have a fancy silver clip which holds up a napkin round your neck. Then you are deemed to be so rich that everybody else will copy you and think you must be right.
At home you do whatever suits you, especially if alone. When I'm alone and dressed up for a special occasion, if I have to eat first, I protect the front of my blouse or dress. An apron, - especially an apron with a waterproof back, is good. If you've been cooking in an apron, just keep it on until after you've finished the washing up.
4 Q When you have have lots of knives and forks, do you start on the outside or the inside?
4 A You start on the outside. If the first course is soup, you can see the soup spoon on the outside. In England the bowl of the soup spoon is rounded. The dessert spoon is oval, and often goes at the top of the plate out of the way. If in doubt, ask the waiter. Most waiters are delighted to show off their knowledge and help.
Any more questions, just ask me.
I am the author of several books of etiquette and have lived in the USA, Spain, Singapore and the UK.
Etiquette is changing, because we are living different lifestyles.
Here are some of the questions I was asked:
1 Q On which side of your dinner plate is your bread plate?
1 A On the left. You reach for the glass with your right hand, because most people are right handed. Therefore your left hand is used for your bread on the left.
2 Q What should I remember to keep other people at the table happy?
2 A If you see a jug of custard or cream, make sure you don't take most of it, leaving insufficient for the others. Always check the number of people who are sharing food before taking your share.
3 Q Should you wear your napkin in your lap or round your neck?
3 A It's usual to wear your napkin on your lap in a restaurant if you are over the age of five and have normal adult intelligence. Unless you have a fancy silver clip which holds up a napkin round your neck. Then you are deemed to be so rich that everybody else will copy you and think you must be right.
At home you do whatever suits you, especially if alone. When I'm alone and dressed up for a special occasion, if I have to eat first, I protect the front of my blouse or dress. An apron, - especially an apron with a waterproof back, is good. If you've been cooking in an apron, just keep it on until after you've finished the washing up.
4 Q When you have have lots of knives and forks, do you start on the outside or the inside?
4 A You start on the outside. If the first course is soup, you can see the soup spoon on the outside. In England the bowl of the soup spoon is rounded. The dessert spoon is oval, and often goes at the top of the plate out of the way. If in doubt, ask the waiter. Most waiters are delighted to show off their knowledge and help.
Any more questions, just ask me.
I am the author of several books of etiquette and have lived in the USA, Spain, Singapore and the UK.