Journal Assignment 1
1) What should you do if you are late to the meal? What if the person you are meeting is late?
The meal should only be started when all the parties have arrived. If you know you may arrive late, it’s better to inform the other parties. Once you have arrived, ask the others at the table before joining them. You may say, “Do you mind if I join your table?” After joining the table, you may introduce yourself (especially when there are those who don’t know you), and apologize for arriving late.
If the person you are meeting is late, you may inquire when he/she is to arrive, and then wait for the person. Do not start the meal before he/she arrives.
2) What do you do when you arrive at the restaurant? Does it matter if you are the host or the guest?
If you are the guest, you wait in the lobby for the host to arrive and give you direction, especially on the sitting arrangements. Whether you are the host or the guest, it is in order that you wait for all the parties to arrive before moving to the table or starting the meal.
3) If you are dining in mixed company, should the male get the chair for the female?
It is considered polite if the male assists the female. It is not a must that the male gets chair for the female, however, it would be polite if it happens so. There may be exceptions if the female is the host.
4) When you sit, what do you do with your napkin?
You place the napkin on your lap. You can either fold the napkin into half with the fold towards your waist, or open it fully, depending on the type and size of the napkin. When rising from the table mid-meal, the napkin should be placed on the chair. This indicates that you will return. The napkin should only be returned to the table when the meal is completely finished. The napkin should not be used as a tissue.
5) When placing the drink order, is it okay to order an alcoholic drink? What if you are asked first? What if you are the host?
It is not okay to order an alcoholic drink. However, if you are asked to, then you may go ahead and place the order. If you are the guest and asked to make the order first, you may pick on something non-alcoholic, such as water, and wait for the host to make the order. Then you may make an order similar to that of the host. For the host, it’s okay.
6) There are some general table manners listed on pages 183 to 187, and 190 to 193. List at least 3 of these items that you didn't know before you read this chapter. List at least 3 items that surprised you.
The three items I didn’t know are:
i. To pass the food to the right.
ii. To pass both the salt and the pepper together even if only one is asked.
iii. Bread on the right and drink on the left.
Three items that surprised me are:
i. Keeping the left hand on the lap when not in use.
ii. Not to complain about anything.
iii. To inform a tablemate that he/she has food on the face or the teeth by pointing on your own face the location of the food.
iv. To finish eating with everyone else to avoid waiting or being waited for.
7) When the meal is complete, who pays?
Normally, the host (the person who does the inviting) pays for the meal. However, sometimes it is expected that everyone pays for their own meals.
8) Tell me about the "b and d" trick in reference to the table setting. I use this all of the time!
The "b and d" trick helps in knowing the side of the plate where the bread plate and the glasses are put. When the forefinger is pointed up and a circle made with the middle finger and a thumb on both hands, the left hand forms letter “b” while the right hand forms letter “d”. The former represents the bread while the latter represents drinks. Bread should therefore be on the left while drinks on the right.
Journal Assignment 2
1) Why is it important to know cultural dining etiquette?
The world is culturally diverse. Every contact one makes should form a positive and professional impression. In the global marketplace, it’s important for one to know the cultural dining etiquette. This helps in understanding the behavior of others. Lack of it may result in misinterpretation which may cause offense. Know the cultural dining etiquette makes one to polish his/her conduct and behavior while dinning.
2) What are some differences in dining manners from other countries and American dining manners?
There is no great difference between the American and the continental dining manners. In the American style; after cutting the meat, the fork is switched to the right hand, the knife placed on the plate, and the meat eaten (zig-zag eating). In the continental style; after cutting the meat, the fork always stays on the left hand, and the knife stays on the right hand.
3) What are some challenges you may have if you dine in another country?
You may not understand the dining manners of that country and may be misinterpreted. For instance, the American style requires that you don’t make a mess. In other countries, say Middle East, making a mess is not strange and people are not afraid to make a mess.
4) Did you find any other resources for proper etiquette when dining in other countries? Please share the links.
“Cross Cultural Dining Etiquette.” Web. October 13, 2012. http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/cultural-services/articles/cross-cultural-dining-etiquette.html
