Etiquette Club MGIMO

- ETIQUETTE IN DETAILS - 🍽 Dining Etiquette: The Art of Table Manners Have you ever wondered how to signal to a waiter that you have finished your meal without saying a word, or who is truly expected to pick up the check at a business dinner? The way we behave at the table speaks volumes, and it all begins the moment we take our seats. 💡The Elegance of Table Presence To project confidence from the very start, always maintain a straight posture and avoid resting your elbows on the table. Before settling in, ensure your bags or purses are placed on a special bag stand or behind you on the chair, keeping them off the table and the floor. Once you are seated, your next step is to unfold your napkin and place it on your lap, remembering to leave it on your chair should you need to temporarily excuse yourself. As the evening progresses, keep your phone out of sight to fully engage with other guests, while elegantly steering clear of sensitive topics. Finally, when the dishes are served, a timeless rule applies: always start using your utensils from the outside in, moving inward with each consecutive course. 🕵️‍♂️ The Secret Language of Cutlery As the dinner continues, your silverware becomes your main tool of silent communication. Back in the Middle Ages, a knife was seen not just as a tool for eating, but also as a weapon, so it became a tradition to handle cutlery in specific, non-hostile ways. Today, this subtle dialogue with the staff varies significantly by culture, and the easiest way to understand it is to picture your plate as a clock face. 🇷🇺🇪🇺 In Russia and Continental Europe, we follow the classic European dining style. When taking a pause, utensils are either crossed in the center of the plate or placed in an inverted V-shape, with the fork tines strictly facing downward. To signal that you are finished, place the knife and fork parallel to each other at the «4 o’clock» position, also keeping the fork tines down. 🇺🇸 In the United States, resting your knife on the top right edge of the plate with the fork nearby indicates a pause, while placing them together parallel at the «4 o’clock» position (with fork tines facing upward)signals that you are finished. 🇬🇧 In contrast, the British tradition marks the «finished» position strictly at 6:30, with both utensils placed vertically side-by-side. When taking a break in the UK, a pause is traditionally shown by placing the fork horizontally across the knife, resting it over the blade. Since these nuances differ around the world, it is always wise to familiarize yourself with local customs before attending an international dinner. 💼 A Note on the Check When the evening draws to a close, the final detail of dining etiquette centers around the bill. While social dinners often involve splitting the check, a professional business meal follows a strict golden rule: whoever is perceived as the host or inviter should always handle the payment. 💬 What other hidden rules of dining etiquette have you encountered? Share your experiences in the comments below! Yours, Etiquette Club ✨