Dinner is served
published: Thursday | October 13, 2005

Andrea Downer, Gleaner Writer

HAVE YOU ever attended a function, a business dinner, a first date, or just gone out for dinner at a nice restaurant, stared at the table settings and found yourself thinking "What am I supposed to do with all these knives and forks - and, what's with all the wine glasses?!" You probably felt really nervous because you were sure that people were watching you and could see that you really didn't know what you were doing. Faced with this embarrassing situation, some people simply steal covert glances at their dinner companions (or worse, other tables) to get clues as to the correct cutlery to use, how to use it properly, and even how to eat a particular dish properly.

When dining out, knowledge of dining etiquette rules will make you feel comfortable. There are standards that people abide by, and if you know them, then you can have confidence that you are behaving "appropriately." It certainly takes the guesswork out of public behaviour.

Which drink is yours? This is sometimes one of the first puzzle that some diners have to unravel as soon as they are seated.