When eating Western food, especially when attending a formal Western banquet, the etiquette requirements are both numerous and strict. When eating Western food, there are generally four etiquette requirements that must be kept in mind.
1. Behave elegantly
The most important thing is to require diners to strictly restrain their personal behavior. Strive to make it elegant and moving.
For Chinese people, they should check their personal behavior when dining. The key point is to pay attention to performing well in the following aspects.
(1) No sound while eating
During meals, whether intentional or unintentional, eating or drinking, never make any noise. Westerners believe that only those who lack education make noises while eating.
(2) Prevent abnormal noises
Except for meals, any noise in the body should be consciously controlled and do not make a fool of yourself in public. In addition, when sitting or dining, do not make strange noises on seats, dining tables, and tableware.
(3) Use tableware with caution
When dining, be sure to use various tableware correctly. You can observe others, especially the hostess, on the spot if you don’t understand. Don’t make people laugh. Do not use cutlery for other purposes, especially do not knock each other with it or point at others.
(4) Sit upright
When sitting, you should enter from the left side and keep your body about two fists away from the dining table. The upper body should be straight and straight, not swaying. Do not put your hands on the table or hide them under the table. Instead, hold the edge of the table. Don't stretch your legs randomly, and don't forget that the opposite sex and both sides of you are of the opposite sex.
(5) Eat cleanly
When eating, maintain environmental hygiene. And pay attention to personal hygiene. Don't eat until you've eaten all over the place, leaving marks all over your body and face, and don't leave a mess on the plate, table and ground.
2. Dress well
When eating Western food, especially when attending banquets, Westerners are very particular about their personal dress. If you are not familiar with this or do it knowingly, you will be looked down upon and disrespectful to others.
According to the size and grade of the meal, the clothes worn during the meal are also different. Generally speaking, it can be divided into formal wear, formal wear and casual wear.
(1) Dress
Western-style dress, men’s wear is a black tuxedo with a bow tie; women’s wear is a floor-length bare-chested long skirt and long tulle gloves. People from other countries can wear their own national costumes, such as Chinese tunic suits and cheongsam, in place of Western-style dresses. At present, formal banquets are often required to be worn.
(2) Formal attire
At ordinary banquets, formal attire is usually required. In general, formal attire refers to suits or skirts in dark colors, especially black or navy blue. It should be noted that men's clothing should not be too light or too bright, while women's clothing should not be too short or too small.
(3) Casual clothes
You can wear casual clothes at ordinary dinner parties. The so-called casual clothes here are strictly defined. That is, men can wear a light-colored suit, or just a separate blazer. Women can wear fashionable clothes or wear long trousers instead of skirts. However, you must not wear it randomly as you like.
No matter what kind of clothing you wear, you are not allowed to adjust your clothes in public during meals. For example, you are not allowed to take off your coat, change clothes, loosen your tie, untie your belt, pull up your socks, take off your shoes, etc.
3. Respect women
Respecting women is a major feature of suit etiquette. The respect for women mentioned in suit etiquette is not just a piece of talk, but has been extensively integrated into the practical level.
Usually, the requirement to respect women is mainly reflected in the following three aspects.
(1) Treat the hostess well
It has been pointed out that in Western banquet activities, the hostess is often in the "first order". The specific performance is: the hostess should take the main seat, and the hostess will announce the start or end of the meal, etc. When eating Western food, you will never see a situation where the hostess is busy and busy, and it is even difficult to sit down at the table.
(2) Take care of female guests
When eating Western food, regardless of whether they are acquaintances or not, men have the obligation to act as "flower protectors" and should be proactive and proactive in treating women at all times. take care of. For example, before eating, help them store their coats or find a seat. During the meal, help the lady pick up dishes, get condiments, and talk with her. etc.
(3) No female waiters are needed.
In formal Western restaurants, women are strictly considered superior to men, so you can only see male waiters there who are busy welcoming and escorting you to and from them. It's so busy, but it's absolutely rare to see a female waitress. According to tradition, waitresses are not used in Western restaurants.
4. Active communication
When participating in a Western-style banquet, in addition to tasting the food, don’t forget to engage in appropriate social activities. According to "Western Food Etiquette", the purpose of Western food banquets is to promote people's social activities.
(1) Communication between host and guest
When you are invited to a banquet, don’t forget to take the time to greet the host, and it is best to find a time to catch up with him and keep in touch with him.
(2) When guests are here
When dining, you should not only chat with old friends, but also take the opportunity to make some new friends. Don't just talk without talking, or only talk to old friends or young and beautiful people of the opposite sex, while saying nothing to other people. If you have a few conversations with the people around you, you will be more sensible.