Crash course in napkin knowledge, toasting technique

0 Comments | Gazette, The (Colorado Springs), Dec 17, 2003 | by TERESA J. FARNEY

The scene: A New Year's Eve dinner at a swanky hotel.

The situation: Your lipstick is now on your glass, not your lips. (We're talking to the ladies here, though we're not making any assumptions about the guys.)

The question: Is it OK to pull out your tube of Love That Red and touch up your lips at the table?

Read on to find out the answer to that and other pressing issues related to table manners and dining etiquette. In this season of parties - whether it's Yuletide cocktails with the neighbors or a formal dinner party with the boss - it pays to know your p's and q's.

For a brief brush-up, take this quick true or false quiz, developed by David and Barbara Rothschild, co-authors of EATiQuette's "The Main Course on Dining Etiquette." It's a step-by-step guide to dining with confidence in the 21st century. If, after taking the quiz, you realize that you're a P-I-G pig, you can order the book for $14.95 from EATiQuette.com, booklocker.com or major retail and online bookstores.

1. A client sends you an invitation to a holiday dinner and, at the bottom, it reads, "Regrets Only." You don't need to respond if you're planning to attend.

2. When you receive an invitation, it's OK to call the hostess to ask who else is invited.

3. You're the "designated driver" for your group so, when the waiter starts pouring wine, you should put your hand over your glass to signal that you won't be having any.

4. You help yourself to a roll from the bread basket. You should put it on the bread and butter plate to the left of your place setting.

5. You like your food highly seasoned, so it's OK to salt and pepper it before you begin eating.

6. When food is served "family style" (from bowls or platters), you should pass the food counterclockwise.

7. You should place your utensils on the right side of your plate with the handles together to signal that you've finished eating.

8. If it takes only a few seconds, it's OK to touch up makeup at the table.

9. When you get up from the table any time during the meal, you should place your napkin to the left of your place setting.

10. You propose a holiday toast to your boss. He or she should take a sip of his or her beverage as a way to acknowledge the toast.

Answers:

1. True. Remember, though, that if the invitation reads "R.S.V.P.," you need to respond whether you plan to attend or not.

2. False. Asking implies that you'll accept or decline the invitation based on who else will be there. How rude!

3. False. The polite way to decline wine (or other beverages) is to simply tell your waiter that you don't want any.

4. True. The plate to the left of, or above, your forks is yours.

5. False. You should always taste the food before you season it. Otherwise, you might insult the cook.

6. True. Food should always be passed to the right. But if someone to your left asks for something, it doesn't mean you have to send it around the table. Use common sense.

7. True. Technically, the fork tines and knife blade tip should be placed at the "10 o'clock" position on the plate, with the handles at the "4 o'clock" position.

8. False. Take your personal needs, makeup included, to the restroom.

9. True. If you're at a restaurant, think of how many other people have sat in that chair. Do you really want to reuse that napkin after you placed it on the seat?

10. False. The boss should raise the glass to acknowledge the toast, but should not drink when everyone else does.