Most meals in American homes are "family-style"; This means that food is put on the platform or in a big bowl and passed to everyone at the table. Everyone takes a little food and puts it on his/her plate, and then passes it on to the next person. It's okay to ask for a second serving of food.
If you invite your female friend to a fancy restaurant, it is polite to hold her chair while she sits down. Everyone orders their own food and drink, and it is wise to order something similar in price to that ordered by the host. Before eating, put the napkin (napkin) on your knee and take it off after eating.
It is polite to wait until everyone at your table has finished eating before you start eating; In some cases (for example), it is best to wait until the host begins to eat. It's impolite to put your elbows on the table. During most of the meal, only one hand should be placed on the table, unless you need to cut meat or pass things. Americans don't chew with their mouths open or talk with their mouths full. When drinking, it is impolite to drink too much or get drunk. If you don't drink, you are usually not forced to do so, and you shouldn't force others to drink with you.
American table manners
What is the function of etiquette?
In today's America, you don't need complete table manners knowledge. Many families only get together for dinner at holiday banquets, and most restaurants are too casual to require or even allow other manners except basic good table manners. If a person who eats in a small restaurant drops his napkin and tries to practice proper manners by signaling the staff to take a new one, he may have to use it completely. Although he may try to make eye contact and show the nature of the problem through subtle eyebrow swinging and downward eye blinking, he will probably only succeed in making his date think that he is being nice to the waiter. Although strict manners prohibit putting used tableware back on the table, when the waiter takes a fork and puts it on the "pointing 1 1 o'clock" plate, he may put it back and make a louder click than the diners themselves.
Sometimes-perhaps at an important business dinner, a romantic date in an expensive restaurant, or the first dinner with a family member who may be "your other half"-it is necessary to show more complicated knowledge of table manners. It's not difficult, once you master the basic knowledge. Anyone who has mastered these core knowledge and has the ability to adapt to the situation at hand can handle even the most formal activities well. After all, our goal is not to show a complete grasp of the most mysterious etiquette details (which is quite difficult considering the great differences in customs between different cultures and generations), but to be elegant and steady at the dinner table.
Master the basic knowledge
Most of the difficulties in learning table manners come from trying to master the etiquette operation of various related tools. In order to show the correct social image, it is necessary to sit at the table gracefully and use the tableware calmly. The diner stacked the napkin on the plate until it interfered with the appetizer, which showed that he lacked training. The guests at the dinner party observe the array of tableware on both sides of her plate in dismay, and just take the time to learn the simple secret of the plan. Of course, there are some tricks and traps to pay attention to, and there are amazing things that can be eaten with your hands occasionally. Here is a quick guide that will help you through the most formal occasions.