Table etiquette is a sign of good character

by Nilma Dole

Many of us are still unware of the proper ethics of table manners. We go to a restaurant or a hotel and make plenty of noise trying our best to use the crockery and cutlery to eat our meals. This is because we don't know the rules that should be learnt at the table. People who look at us, judge our background and character by the way we eat so knowing proper table etiquette is important.

Mr. Hareez Rizwan, the manager of the Spoons restaurant at the Hilton told that on the table, there are various spoons, forks and knives. It is important to note how these cutlery look and what is their exact purpose.

The Soup Spoon - A ladle which is smaller than a table spoon used for eating soup. The Main-Course Spoon - The Tablespoon which is bigger than a teaspoon used to eat the main course.

The Teaspoon - Used for stirring your tea, eating desserts like sorbet and ice cream. Salad/Starter/All-Purpose (A.P.) Fork - Smaller than the Main-Course Fork which is used for eating fruit, salad and other food that are smaller than the main-course dishes.

The Main-Course or Dinner Fork - Same length as the tablespoon which is used to. The Bread and Butter Knife (B&B knife) - The smallest knife which is blunt that is used to cut your bread or bun and apply butter.

The Main-Course or Dinner Knife - Same length as the Main-Course Fork which is used to cut vegetables and soft meat in the Main-Course meal.

The Steak Knife - Same as the Main-Course knife but sharper to cut meat properly. Salad/Starter/All-Purpose (A.P.)Knife - Smaller than the Main-Course Knife which is serves the function of the A. P. fork. The layout is done with the knives on the right and forks on the left. Spoons are kept after the knives but some restaurants lay one or two spoons at the top. We use the side plate towards our left and the glass to drink on the top right-hand side of the plate.

Most Sri Lankans use the main-course fork and spoon to eat which is not correct in proper table etiquette. Even though our food consists of traditional rice and curry, the knife is often used separately for cutting.

Many are inclined to push the rice onto the spoon with the fork and often the spoon is placed on the right and the fork on the left, if one is right-handed and vice versa if using the left hand. Another aspect is that they can be in a hurry and this is the 'noisy' part where the diners forget the fact that people around are disturbed by this.

Mr. Rizwan mentioned that "In some religions, people should eat with their right-hand as a mark of respect. People cut their food the normal way but actually eat with their right-hand".

The proper way to eat your meal - Serve yourself first, gently taking the gravy and food from the dishes and make sure you don't spill. Then take your napkin and spread it on your lap.

Remember to lift it higher towards your tummy but do not hang it around your neck. If starting with the soup, gently hold your spoon and lower your head to the bowl. Rotate your hand like a ferris wheel in the anti-clockwise direction and ensure you don't slurp or make a noise when you eat.

When eating your salad, hold your knife in the right-hand and the fork on the left. The same is true for the Main-Course meal.

However, if you have to use the steak knife or any other cutlery for your meal, use that individually and then arrange the pieces on your plate. Thereafter use the knife and fork or the fork only if it only requires eating.

When eating noodles or pasta, twirl it around the fork over the spoon and eat gently. Chopsticks are more delicate and require some training in addition to using your fingers expertly.

Many renowned career developers and guidance counsellors advise that before we start climbing up the corporate ladder and shaping our careers, we should know proper table manners. Eating properly at the table and giving respect to your food is a mark of good character and then only can one fit into society.