People who go to a formal Western dinner party for the first time may be surprised by table manners in Western culture.Knowing them will help you make a good impression.Having good table manners means knowing,for example,how to use knives and forks,when to drink a toast and how to behave at the table.Beside your napkin you will find a small bread roll and three glasses—one for white wine,one for the red wine,and one for water.There are two pairs of knives and forks on the table,forks on the left and knives in the right of the plate.When you see two spoons,the big one id for the suop and the samll one for the dessert.The knife and fork that are closest to your plate are a litte bit bigger than the ones beside them.When you sit down at the table, you can take your napkin, unfold it and put it on your lap.In Chinese you sometime get a hot,damp cloth to clean your face and face and hands,whinch,however,is nat the custom in Western countries.
Dinner start with a small dish, which is often called a starter.Sime people pray before they start eating , and other people may keep silent for a moment. Then you can say"Enjoy your meal"to each other and everybody start eating.For the starter,which you eat with the smaller pair,you keep the knife in your right hand and the fork in your left.After the starter you will get a bowl of soup—but only one boel of soup and never ask for a seconf serving.
The next dish is the main course.Many Westerners think the chicken breast with its tender white flesh is the best part of the bird. Some people can use their fingers when they eating chicken or other birds,but never touch beef or other meat in bones.It is polite to finish eating everthing on your plate,so don't take more food than you need.
At table ,you should try to speak quietly and smile a lot,but do not laugh all the time.
Most Westerners like soft drink if they will drive home.Many of them drink white or red wine with the food.When drinking to someone's health,you raise your glasses,but the glasses should not touch. The custom of toasting in some parts of China is to finish the drink at once,but Westerners usually take only a sip.For drinking during a dinner,the best advic is never to drink too much.
Table manners change over time.They follow the fashion of the day .Beside,table manners are only important at formal dinner parties.If you're not sure what to do ,you can always follow your hosts.Although good manners always make you look good,you do not need to worry about all these rules while having dinner with your friends or family.
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