DINING ETIQUETTE
The rules of etiquette are fraught
For those who never have been taught
But I was taught each complex rule
When I was still a lad at school
So when out dining I’m dismayed
By failing manners seen displayed
It's not just diners who haven't a clue
The lack of trained waiters troubles me too
But at least it gives me the excuse to skip
Out of the restaurant avoiding a tip.
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Author:
Michael Edwards (
Offline) - Published: May 6th, 2017 00:09
- Comment from author about the poem: A bit tongue in cheek maybe but it's true that I was taught table etiquette at school at a time when ladies were ladies and gents were gents. I do prefer what I call proper restaurants and avoid, where I can, those awful fast food restaurants and it's true that I still observe the 'rules' when dining out but I guess I am almost alone in this. Plus another cartoon.
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Comments12
My wife and I love dining out in PROPER restaurants but it is so depressing to see the lack of etiquette displayed by others and a failure by the restaurants to train their staff and observe simple rules.
Diners who have no dress sense- do people have no pride any more
waiters standing over you while you are still reading the menu
Table placements incorrectly laid
talking while actually eating
using just the fork
holding wine glasses by the bulb and not the stem
waiters who are not familiar with the wines on offer (if there is no sommelier)
diners who do not put the cutlery together on the plate when finished
diners who place the fork facing upwards on the plate when they have finished
waiters who start clearing away dirty plates before everyone's finished
waiters who are too familiar with diners
waiters who serve plated food (Service a la Russe) over the left shoulder
waiters who remove dirty plates over the right shoulder
waiters who don't recognise a diners need for a finger bowl and have to be asked
waiters who don't know how far to fill a wine glass
Must be plenty of others but the minds gone blank for the moment.
Manners and etiquette are just something else that are fast disappearing in our world.
Table manners are almost as dead as the dodo.
I used to be a Chaplain in the Sea Cadets and once a year the Chaplains would have a few days together being informed of things to come. During this time together we would have a dinner in the wardoom of the Naval Headquarters and this was a very formal affair where etiquette was the norm. The tables were correctly laid and the Naval silver was laid on the centre of the tables. Everything was immaculate and the manners sublime.
In many parts of the world table manners are alien to the culture. Food is not just fuel - it should savoured, enjoyed and celebrated. How can anyone do that with their face inside an electronic device as appears to be the norm these days.
I have great dress sense and always know when i am dressed. I have never knowingly eaten naked.
Does this count?
I have been inpubs, or restaurants where very well properly dressed people have behaved appallingly talking in loud voices standibg in the way at the bar with no apology and generally spoiling things for everyone. Equally people not properly dressed have behaved in a very civilised and friendly manner. I know which I'd prefer. I'm sensible enough to wear what I i feel comfortable in. So i hope do you two guys. My behaviour is impeccable however.
I too dress to feel comfortable but on occasion it is great to 'dress up'. I agree with you as well, people who are not 'properly' dressed can be the most wonderful people that you would like to share time with. I do believe that manners are important and mean so much in this fragmented world.
Food is a true blessing and should be valued as such. A good reminder that we should all thankfully treat its consumption with great respect - eating can be gracious or otherwise in any part of the world. Good read and love the fun- graphics too Michael.
Thanks Fay - it's the chicken I feel sorry for!
Must agree that good manners and dress sense do not necessarily go hand in hand. Having said that I feel more comfortable knowing I look good than I would if I was looking scruffy.
Have to agree about talking loudly and spoiling it for other diners - one of the bugbears about eating in Italy, Spain et al
Thank you Michael for reminding us of decorum ~ In my Family the table was always properly set for Dinner (7pm) and good manners observed. I do like to stay in 5 Star Hotels where one must dress for dinner (no ruff in the buff) and the Waiters do know their wines. I have dined at the Top Table in Balliol College Oxford and Queens College Cambridge where the Etiquette of Dining is always observed and in other Universities too ! Too many Families now dine on fast food a la sofa watching telly ! I love formal Dinner Parties ~ I am an Edwardian at heart are you ? Thanks for caring ~ love the cartoon ~ Please check my SUNRISE ~ Brian ~ Have Dinner Suit ~ will travel !
Thanks Brian - recently dined at Raymond Blanc's Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons where you would 3expect top service. There was a sommelier so no problems there but the waiters were far from perfect - apart from a poor command of the language which made communications difficult they insisted on serving from the wrong side . Not what you would expect from one of the countries top restaurants.
THANKS MICHAEL ~ The higher you go ~ the more you expect ~ but of course more opportunity for disappointment ! McDonald's is best are the servers are unemployed GRADUATES on ZERO HOUR contracts so they have to bright ~ right and respectful ~ 'Ave a nice day Mister ! Some of my extended Family are "in the trade" so we do get a chance to be rude to them ! BRIAN
I agree Michael. Years ago I was a bartender and waitress. It is unreal today that servers do not even come back to thank you for leaving a nice tip. I really think it is because they cannot do the Math. And, they get your order wrong as well. So, mostly, I just order an appetizer and take out. Rather cook at home and have a nice glass of wine. So much more enjoyable.
Absolutely - my wife is an excellent cook and more often than not we are so disappointed. It\'s rare that food out comes anything up to her standard. And we don\'t feel obliged to comply with etiquette when we eat at home on our own!!
Impressive display , I'm amazed at the attitude . Did Jesus wash his hands before he rubbed the wheat in his hands to eat . Did he not say it is not what goes into the body that defiles but what comes out of the heart .
Diplay? Sorry but you 've lost me.
I worked thirty-eight years in the trucking industry . During that time I worked over 550,000 hours . I averaged sixteen hours a day , seven days a week . I drove trucks during the day and I worked on the dock during the night . Also I had a one hour drive back and forth to work . I didn't want to work that much I was told I had to to keep my job . It cost me two divorces , my health , and all the family time most people have . Eating was always an afterthought . Like sleep you took it when and where you could . So when I see people disussing manners , clothes , food and etiquette I only wish I had the opportunity a long time ago .
In spite of all those obstacles I had to overcome I still wrote poetry or at least what I call poetry .
Difficult to comment without sounding patronising which is the last thing I want to do - suffice to say that I\'ve had a privileged life and find it hard to put myself in your shoes, All I can say is keep writing - its such a stabilising occupation and you write some good stuff. Perhaps a poem giving another point of view to the discussions above.
Thank you Michael Edwards ., one thing I like about you is your class shines through with dignity .
Ah thanks swingline - we are all flesh and blood - just keep writing.
The echo of "hold your cutlery properly" and "sit up straight" from my parents has stayed with me all these years. It's not really just good manners that are disappearing, but simple polite consideration in thoughts and actions, which doesn't take a minute of effort.
My grandchildren are still brought up to respect values but so few are these days - sad ent it.
Gosh, I personally only care about the quality of the food lol
I guess its all about old fashioned values. Food on its own is great but its only half the story - like having a great engine in an old rust bucket.
All manners have left the table, or so it seems. The best of the best restaurants now allow casual dress ( code for slovenly). Eating at fast food places is like shopping at Walmart, you never know what you will see. Waiters have never learned and are a product of the "new responsibility." Maybe it is better to stay home and avoid the torture that is dining out. - Phil A.
I'm afraid I have to agree Phil. There is a whole spectrum of eating places from 5 star down to fast food joints and I avoid those at the bottom of the heap like the plague - McDonalds et al.
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