Before you book your reception dinner, ensure you have your table manners in check. According to image consultant Anne Sowden, president of Toronto-based Here’s Looking at You (hereslookingatyou.ca), these are the three most common etiquette blunders to be found at a dinner party near you:
1. Using the wrong bread-and-butter plate.
This is the most frequent dining faux pas and it can throw the entire table out of whack. In the worst-case scenario, everyone will have to use the plate on his/her right, but will forget and end up eating each other’s rolls all night long. Remember, your plate is on the left! If your neighbour has mistakenly chosen the wrong side, avoid upsetting the rotation and discreetly ask your server for an extra plate.
2. Talking with your mouth full.
It never fails—the second you pop a morsel into your mouth, somebody asks about the time you saw Brad Pitt in line at Starbucks (at least you think it was him). It’s tempting to avoid an awkward pause in conversation by answering the question immediately. Sowden recommends covering your mouth with one hand and motioning “just a minute” with the other. If this happens often and your pauses take more than a few seconds to recover from, consider taking smaller bites.
3. The silent treatment.
Sometimes it’s tough to think of something to say to the stranger sitting on your right; but at a dinner party, it’s your duty to talk to the people sitting next to you. Sowden’s advice: “We’re Canadian! When in doubt, we can always talk about the weather!”
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