British Dining Etiquette
The British TV series "Downton Abbey" has been popular for a while, and many people like to watch it, not only because its plot is indeed very detailed, especially for For many Chinese viewers, we have seen how the legendary aristocrats and gentlemen of the British past lived. Not only how they lived, but also how the people who served them lived and worked. Although the ancient culture and complicated etiquette have become simple in today's society, a proper understanding of the local culture is still essential for us to better integrate our lives with British friends! The following is the British dining etiquette I have compiled, Hope it helps.
First of all, the British are not used to eating the heads, feet and internal organs of animals, nor do they eat dog meat. In their view, eating animal heads, feet or internal organs is a very disgusting thing. In addition, the British love dogs very much and regard dogs as friends or even relatives. Eating dog meat is very cruel and intolerable in the eyes of the British. Therefore, whether you are visiting a British home or entertaining British guests yourself, it is best not to say that you want to eat the above foods.
Be quiet while eating. The quietness mentioned here does not mean that you cannot speak, but that you should not make chewing sounds when eating. In fact, you can chat while eating, but be careful not to talk when there is food in your mouth; if there happens to be food in your mouth and you have to answer, then cover your mouth with one hand while opening your mouth to speak.
When it comes to the use of tableware, there is no hard requirement on which hand should hold the knife and which hand should hold the fork. It just depends on personal habits. But you should pay attention to the meaning of the placement of knives and forks: if it means that the meal has been completed and the waiter can take away the plate, the knives and forks should be parallel to each other, with the blade facing inwards, and placed vertically on the plate.
If you have not finished eating yet and plan to continue eating, you should separate the knife and fork into eight figures and place them on the upper part of the dinner plate.
In addition, you can hold a knife and fork when talking, but if you need to make gestures, you must put the knife and fork down and do not let the knife and fork flap in the air.
If you are a guest in a British home, you should praise the host's cooking skills and express your gratitude when dining. A simple "thank you! It's very delicious!" can make the owner very happy. In addition, you must finish the food on the plate. If there is any leftover, it will be rude.
If you are invited to a restaurant for a meal, you should also pay attention to the following basic etiquette:
In the West, you generally have to make a reservation in advance when going to a restaurant. When making a reservation, there are a few things you should be special about. Be sure to state clearly. First, indicate the number of people and time, and secondly, indicate whether you want a seat with a good area or a good view. If it's a birthday or other special occasion, you can tell us the purpose and budget of the party. Arriving at the scheduled time is basic courtesy. No matter how expensive casual clothes are, you should not wear them casually when going to restaurants. It is common sense among Europeans and Americans to dress appropriately when eating in restaurants. When going to a high-end restaurant, men should dress neatly; women should wear suits and heeled shoes. If formal attire is specified, men must wear a tie. When entering the restaurant, men should open the door first and invite women to enter. Ladies should be asked to go in front. Women should be given priority when seated and when meals are served. Especially for group activities, don’t forget to let the ladies go in front.
The most appropriate way to sit is from the left side. When the chair is pulled away, stand up straight at a distance that is almost touching the table. The leader will push the chair in, and you can sit down when your legs touch the chair behind you. When eating, your upper arms and back should lean against the back of the chair, and your abdomen should be about a fist away from the table. Sitting with your feet crossed is best avoided.
In high-end restaurants, there will be bartenders who are good at wine tasting and will bring you wine lists. For those who don’t know much about wine, it is best to tell them the dishes you have chosen, your budget, and your favorite wine flavors, and the main bartender can help you choose. If the main course is meat, it should be paired with red wine, and with fish, white. Before serving, try a glass of lighter wine such as champagne, sherry or gills.
The formal order of serving a full set of Western food is: ① Appetizer and soup ② Fish ③ Fruit ④ Meat ⑤ Cheese ⑥ Dessert and coffee ⑦ Fruit, as well as pre-dinner wine and table wine. There is no need to order everything. It would be rude to order too much and not be able to finish it all. Restaurants of a moderate standard welcome customers who only order appetizers. Appetizer, main course (choose one of fish or meat) and dessert is the most appropriate combination. When ordering, you don't start with the appetizers. Instead, you choose the main dish you want to eat the most, and then pair it with the soup that suits the main dish.
After ordering, open the napkin before the appetizer is served, fold it inward by one-third, and let two-thirds of it lie flat on your legs;