Rules of Etiquette in Elegant Dining

Conducting yourself appropriately at an elegant fine dining restaurant can be a bit confusing. And if you don’t have any experience in fine dining, you would have a hard time in choosing the right fork to use. Fortunately, not all restaurants are tailored the same, and some of them only expect more basic manners such as not talking during the meal and covering your mouth when coughing. However, if you ever do get the opportunity of dining in an expensive and elegant restaurant, it would be helpful if you knew some of the basics of proper dining decorum and etiquette. After all, who would want to embarrass themselves during the meal? If you are dining in some of the best and most elegant Italian restaurants in town, like Ben Et Florentine Franchise A Vendre, here are some basic, elegant dining guidelines you should adhere to:

• MAKE AN EFFORT TO DRESS NICELY BUT DON’T OVERDO IT

Make an effort to dress nicely—most especially if you are dining with esteemed guests and clients. It will give them a great impression of you, and also reflect your respect for them. Men should wear jackets to dinner if a suit is not available. Overdressing is a serious rookie mistake. You can tell when someone has dressed for the occasion and is not feeling comfortable in their clothes.

• DO NOT PUT YOUR CELL PHONE, KEYS OR PURSE ON THE TABLE

It is the sign of disrespect to be on your phone while you are having dinner with someone. It makes you look like you are more interested in your phone than in your companion. Mobile phones should be stashed away from sight and one should wait to check it after the meal is over. Additionally, do not put it on your table.

3.) ALWAYS HAVE YOUR GUESTS ORDER FIRST

If you have guests with you during a meal, it is only customary and respectful to have them order first and then order for yourself. And if you are the host, you need to make it clear that you are. Say something along the lines of, “My guest would like to see your menu…” or “Please bring my guest a bottle of your best wine” to avoid confusion.

4.) ALWAYS SET UP YOUR PAYMENT BEFOREHAND

Do not wait until you and your guest have finished your meal to pay for the meal. Set up your mode of payment ahead of time or you could give your credit card to the server or cashier even before you and your guests have taken your respective seats at the assigned table. You can go an extra mile by calling the restaurant ahead of time and telling them your mode or payment. Lastly, one should always remember that the person who invites guests to the meal would be the one to pay for the meal.

5.) BOTTLES OF WINE CANNOT BE RETURNED

Most waiters and wine servers, like at Ben Et Florentine Franchise A Vendre are under a strict protocol that a wine bottle once chosen cannot be returned even if you do not like it later because they have already opened the bottle for you. To prevent this from happening, never buy a bottle unless you are sure of how it tastes. Questions are expected, even welcomed, by waiters. The same goes for food. Some people have this idea that they look naive by asking questions. Unfortunate things can happen when ordering without proper idea, like something raw arriving at your table that you expected to be cooked or a flambé scaring you out. Ask your wine server for a sip sample of the wine and if it suits everyone’s taste and preferences, then you can order a bottle for your table.