my first Dinner on a French restaurant (Hanzoya located in Yokohama japan)was a truly wonderful experience. I remember I was taking a delicious bite of Chateaubriand steak when my friend leaned over and said in a gentle voice, Keep your hands on the table (hahahaha).
Table manners could be considered sacred, especially when you're on a class restaurant.
but certainly never mind for others as like me. Did you know that knowing our table manners gives us more confidence in embracing new dining experiences, whether It's dinner at a fancy restaurant, job interviews over a meal, or a meal at a friend's home.
Note to remember before having a meal to this kind of place base on my experience
-Dress code-
In order to get a proper treatment, you need to come in a proper attire in this kind of dining place. business casual attire, jackets are preferred.
taboo here are: jeans, sneakers, shorts, t-shirts or flip-flops. if you arrive wearing with this, doorman unfortunately not letting you in.
-Sitting-
Sit a comfortable distance away from the table, so that with the elbows bent the hands are level with the knives and forks.
Sit up straight, sit square with hands in the lap and do not fidget. Do not put elbows on the table.
-Ordering-
In the French restaurant, dinners don’t always order their entire meal at once. Instead, the waiter will often go around taking appetizer orders first, then go around again for the main course. Only, after all, food orders have been taken will drinks be ordered.
-Napkin-
Other French restaurants will immediately put their napkin on their lap, and some will not. after many times dining in their restaurant, I still have not quite figured it out. I have come to understand that is has nothing to do with class or education, you will not be poorly looked upon for not placing a napkin on your knees immediately.
-Hands-
in a french restaurant, it is important to see your hands at all times. Otherwise, who knows what you might be doing with them. but elbows and hands-Do do not place them on the table. It's considered unsanitary. And keep your hands out of your lap and up where they can be seen always.
-Wine, Champagne or any Drinks-
you don’t have to force yourself to drink it, if you don’t like alcohol and don’t feel guilty if you don’t. Wine drinking in France was optional. others are happy to drink for the cause.The French only fill the glass half way. A full glass is simply bad manners. To the French it does not make sense to put more liquid in a glass that is not almost empty. If you are not yet finished with what you are drinking, why to add more.
-Proper way of eating soup-
Hold the soup spoon by resting the end of the handle on your middle finger, with your thumb on top. Dip the spoon sideways into the soup at the near edge of the bowl, then skim from the front of the bowl to the back. Sip from the side of the spoon, avoid improper table manners and do not to slurp. To retrieve the last spoonful of soup, slightly tip the bowl away from you and spoon in the way that works best.
-Eating-
Do not begin eating until everyone has been served, unless the host or hostess gives their permission for diners to start.
Eat at a relaxed pace and pace yourself to match your fellow diners.
Keep your mouth closed and try to avoid making noises of any kind while eating, either with implements against the plate or teeth or with actual ingestion of the food.
-Sharing food-
I think "You just HAVE to taste..." sharing of small amounts is acceptable if only because it's so complimentary. Trading halfway through a course needs to be done quietly to be acceptable.
-After meal-
When you have finished, place your knife and fork - with the tines facing upwards - together on your plate, something like the image below.
If you are confronted with a plateful that is not to your taste, try to soldier on to avoid hurt feelings. Always compliment the cook.
Hopefully, this basic tutorial on French table manners will help you feel confident and comfortable during at your mealtime.
Table manners could be considered sacred, especially when you're on a class restaurant.
but certainly never mind for others as like me. Did you know that knowing our table manners gives us more confidence in embracing new dining experiences, whether It's dinner at a fancy restaurant, job interviews over a meal, or a meal at a friend's home.
-Dress code-
In order to get a proper treatment, you need to come in a proper attire in this kind of dining place. business casual attire, jackets are preferred.
taboo here are: jeans, sneakers, shorts, t-shirts or flip-flops. if you arrive wearing with this, doorman unfortunately not letting you in.
-Sitting-
Sit a comfortable distance away from the table, so that with the elbows bent the hands are level with the knives and forks.
Sit up straight, sit square with hands in the lap and do not fidget. Do not put elbows on the table.
-Ordering-
In the French restaurant, dinners don’t always order their entire meal at once. Instead, the waiter will often go around taking appetizer orders first, then go around again for the main course. Only, after all, food orders have been taken will drinks be ordered.
-Napkin-
Other French restaurants will immediately put their napkin on their lap, and some will not. after many times dining in their restaurant, I still have not quite figured it out. I have come to understand that is has nothing to do with class or education, you will not be poorly looked upon for not placing a napkin on your knees immediately.
-Hands-
in a french restaurant, it is important to see your hands at all times. Otherwise, who knows what you might be doing with them. but elbows and hands-Do do not place them on the table. It's considered unsanitary. And keep your hands out of your lap and up where they can be seen always.
-Wine, Champagne or any Drinks-
you don’t have to force yourself to drink it, if you don’t like alcohol and don’t feel guilty if you don’t. Wine drinking in France was optional. others are happy to drink for the cause.The French only fill the glass half way. A full glass is simply bad manners. To the French it does not make sense to put more liquid in a glass that is not almost empty. If you are not yet finished with what you are drinking, why to add more.
-Proper way of eating soup-
Hold the soup spoon by resting the end of the handle on your middle finger, with your thumb on top. Dip the spoon sideways into the soup at the near edge of the bowl, then skim from the front of the bowl to the back. Sip from the side of the spoon, avoid improper table manners and do not to slurp. To retrieve the last spoonful of soup, slightly tip the bowl away from you and spoon in the way that works best.
-Eating-
Do not begin eating until everyone has been served, unless the host or hostess gives their permission for diners to start.
Eat at a relaxed pace and pace yourself to match your fellow diners.
Keep your mouth closed and try to avoid making noises of any kind while eating, either with implements against the plate or teeth or with actual ingestion of the food.
-Sharing food-
I think "You just HAVE to taste..." sharing of small amounts is acceptable if only because it's so complimentary. Trading halfway through a course needs to be done quietly to be acceptable.
-After meal-
When you have finished, place your knife and fork - with the tines facing upwards - together on your plate, something like the image below.
If you are confronted with a plateful that is not to your taste, try to soldier on to avoid hurt feelings. Always compliment the cook.
Hopefully, this basic tutorial on French table manners will help you feel confident and comfortable during at your mealtime.
