About This Quiz
Do you always chew with your mouth closed and keep your elbows off the table? Do you cross your knife and fork over your plate to signal that you are done eating? If you do all of this, and more, you could probably pass Etiquette 101, but there's so much more to remember. If you think you know all there is to know about dining etiquette, then this is the quiz for you. Let's get started to find out if you could really dine with the Queen or if you are better suited for the King.... Burger King, that is.
Let's be serious, most of us don't even come close to observing proper dining etiquette every time we sit down at the table. But even if we don't use these skills often, knowing the rules can make all the difference between fitting in at a formal dinner party and looking like you were raised by wolves. So, even if you don't ever plan on using proper table manners, learn and practice them occasionally. You never know when the Queen could show up for a spot of tea.
If you think you could hang with the Brits, take this dining etiquette quiz to see if you would really fit in.
If it's not food, or your napkin, keep it off the table.
In the U.S., it's polite to tip 15 to 20 percent for satisfactory service. If you thought things were above and beyond, take it up to 25 percent.
Although it often falls between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m., tea time is traditionally at 4 p.m.
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In the U.S., it's polite to keep your left hand in your lap, unless you need to use it.
It's polite to avoid doing all of these things with your chopsticks, as well as skewing food, pointing with them and more.
If you're attending a formal dinner, you'll see your water goblet is larger than the red wine and white wine glasses.
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It's best policy to work from the outside-in when choosing which silverware to use.
When eating with others in a restaurant, it's polite to wait until everyone is served before beginning to eat.
Maki rolls, nigiri sushi and sashimi are all supposed to be eaten as one bite.
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In some countries, including India, parts of Africa, and those in the Middle East, it's impolite to eat with your left hand.
The person who does the inviting (the host) is the person who pays.
Please pass the salt -- and pepper. The pair is always passed together.
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When you drink from a stemmed glass, hold the stem.
Following American style, when finished with your meal, you should place your fork and knife together (parallel, not crossed) at the 11 o’clock position on your plate. Fork tines should be facing up.
The spoon shape depends on the consistency of the soup you're eating. A round soup spoon is good for eating purees, broths or clear soaps. An oval spoon, on the other hand, can handle hearty soups that contain pieces of food, such as minestrone.
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You don't have to have a fever, cough or sneeze to pass on germs. In fact, strains of streptococcus, prevotella and veillonella all live in a healthy person’s mouth. Researchers have found double-dipping chips significantly increases the level of germs in the dip. Don't be the next Typhoid Mary; don't double dip.
Never reach. And never intercept a salt shaker pass. If you need the salt -- or anything else from the table -- ask for it to be passed to you.
The dinner knife is the knife closest to the right side of the plate. From outside-in, you'll find your soup spoon, teaspoon, salad knife, and then, the dinner knife.
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Place your napkin on the seat of your chair when you stand up.
As soon as you're seated, it's time to place your napkin on your lap.
The "place of honor" is the seat to the right of the host.
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Aim to RSVP to an invitation within 3 days of receiving it.
Once you've used a utensil, you shouldn't set it back down on the table. Instead, rest it on the side of your plate.
BMW is a mnemonic way to remember that the proper order, from left to right, is bread, then meal, then water.
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Aim to arrive for dinner about 10 minutes early, about 6:50 p.m.
The salad fork is the outermost fork, next to the dinner fork, on the left side of the plate.
It's best to use your napkin every two or three bites.
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It's best to leave any cocktail glasses and small plates where they were served.
Refrain from mashing them up and spooning them into your mouth.
The correct version is, "bring your food to your face, not your face to the food." (1. food; 2. face; 3. face; 4. food)
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Always pass the potatoes in a a counter-clockwise direction (that's the opposite direction as a clock).
Resist going all the way to the top and keep your soup spoon only 2/3 full.
It depends. If it's white wine or rosé, the glass should be 1/3 full (which is 3 ounces). But if it's red wine, fill the glass halfway (about 4 ounces).
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Always. It's impolite to leave your guest eating alone, so try to match courses 1-for-1.
Arriving any more than 15 minutes late is a no-no. Always call when you'll be late.