Lecture of Etiquette: High Table Manners
Are you struggling for dress and table manners in the coming High Table Dinner?
On November 18th, we had a professional table manner training given by Ms. Mary Cheung, former Miss Hong Kong, Hong Kong Ten Outstanding Women and President of the Professional Image and International Etiquette Institute, to help us build your own elegance.
Former Miss Hong Kong, 21st Century Female Model, Ten Outstanding Young Persons, Handshake: Keep eye contact and smile and keep your hands warm and clean. Hug and kiss cheek in accordance with the specific conditions. Just show your confidence.
Dress code: Button up every time you rise when in a suit. If there are two buttons, do up the upper one; three, the middle one; and the second when you have four buttons.
Introduction: the elders introduce for juniors, gentlemen introduce for ladies. Ensure the business card (especially English card) is passed to the receiver in an easier reading way.
Invitation: usually there are P.S.V.P and dress code on an invitation card. Reply it formally, friendly and sincerely.
Have a seat: gentlemen should pull out seats and pick up napkin (when it dropped) for ladies. Check seating plan before line up and follow waiters to your seat.
Table manner: upon being seated, open your napkin, folded it in triangle, then place napkin in your lap. When leaving the table temporarily, put the napkin on your chair. Do not put your cellphone, glasses on the table. The bag should be hanged on a hook. Ask others first when food passes to you. Wait until everyone has been served before say Bon Appetit and start to eat. Use the "outside-in" rule with tableware. Use the matching fork when cutting the food with the knife and the use of spoon does not match the fork and knife. When you are having soup, dip the spoon at the near edge of the bowl, then skim from the front of the bowl to the back. Sip from the side of the spoon and do not slurp. Place the used tableware on plate rather than table. Tear off one piece of bread at a time, chew with your mouth closed.Do not left bread on service plate. Take saucer with spoon and cup on it, do not use spoon for tasting. Do not answer the phone when you are drinking or eating. After meal, ladies should go to the toilet to touch up. Lemon and water are for handwashing.
About alcohol: hold your glass by the stem, give the glass a good swirl and evaluate by sight, then close your eyes and take a sniff. Take a sip of wine into your mouth and try sucking on it as if pulling it through a straw, finish with a gentle smile.
About Buffet: use a clean plate for each dish, place raw and cooked food separately, do not eating when you are in line. Use public utensil to take food, cover down the lid for hot dish when you finished, do not stack food on plate, do not pick the expensive food only.
