Table Manner Class: Eating Etiquette with Some of Rules

On December 22, 2018, there was a table manners class in GH Universal Hotel. Participated by more than fifty students of English Education class from batch 2015, this table manner presents an eating etiquette with some of the rules. Due to the formal situation, the participants are required to wear formal dress for women and formal suits for men. To be honest, this was one of the memorable moments at the end of 2018. The table manners class started at 7 p.m. Each table consisted of seven to eight participants, and there was a set menu for each table so the participants could easily know what foods would be served. GH Universal Hotel introduced Mr. Arya as the one who gave the lecture regarding eating etiquette. He informed the rules used while eating, such as dos and don’ts that should be followed by all participants during the table manners class. There were several things that were highlighted in this table manner, including seating etiquette, napkin etiquette, handling utensils, resting utensils, and drinking etiquette. Each of the things will be explained as follow.

The first thing is seating etiquette. 

There are some points that should be paid attention to regarding seating etiquette. First, we have to make sure that the chair is not too far from the table so we can make ourselves comfortable. Next, we have to place our hands on the arm of our chair. This rule applies when the chair has an armrest. However, when the chair does not have an armrest, we have to place our hands on our lap. Then, during the table manner, we do not cross our legs because that is one of the impolite ways for being not respect to the host and other participants. We have to sit in an upright position to indicate that we respect all of them. Last, for women who bring handbags, they have to place their handbags below their own chairs to facilitate the process of eating and banquets.

The second thing is napkin etiquette. 

Using our napkin properly is an important part of the table manner. The napkin is always served in every table for every single participant. Before the meal begins, we have to fold the napkin and then place it on our lap. The usefulness of this napkin is to clean our hands, wipe our mouths, protect our clothes from food, and show us when we are finished. We should never use the napkin to blow our noses. If we need to do that, excuse ourselves from the table to go to the toilet and use a tissue or handkerchief. However, we have to place the napkin first on our chair as a sign that the chair is occupied. Then, if the napkin is dirty, we can ask help from a waiter to bring the new one. At the end of the meal, we have to leave the folded napkin at the left side of the plate.

The third thing is handling utensils properly. 

Eating properly depends on how we use the utensils and silverware properly, too. There are three main silverwares that are commonly used, such as knife, fork, and spoon. These silverwares have different functions depending on the foods that are served. In this table manner, we have appetizers, main course, and dessert. For appetizers, we have Italian salad. Due to this food is served in small portions and to encourage our appetite before the main course, makes this salad is categorized as an appetizer. For eating this appetizer, we have to use a knife and work that is placed on the outside. We have to use utensils that place on the outside first and work our way inward. Next, we have chicken cream soup before having the main course. For eating this cream soup, we have to use a spoon. This spoon is held by our right hand; meanwhile, our left hand is placed on the table. There are two things that should be noted when eating a soup are we have to scoop the soup away from us rather than towards us and sip the soup from the side of the spoon. After having an appetizer, then we have chicken cordon bleu as a main course. For eating this main course, we have to use a knife and fork. We hold the knife in our right hand, meanwhile, the fork in our left hand. The fork is for choosing the food and then bringing it to our mouth, and the knife is for cutting off the chicken. For the last, there is a green forest cake as a dessert. We use a fork and spoon for eating this kind of dessert.

The fourth thing is resting utensils. 

After having a meal, we have to make sure that we place the utensils into the right position so the waiter can directly take our used plate and bowl. For example, after having a chicken cream soup, we have to place the spoon on the under plate. More examples, after having a chicken cordon bleu, we have to place the knife and fork parallel on the right rim of the plate. Those positions are the signal that we have finished the food. Furthermore, these can decrease the chance that the utensils fall to the floor when the waiter takes our cleared plate.

The fifth thing is drinking etiquette. 

The kind of beverage that is served in this table manner class is mineral water. There are several points that should be followed by all participants when having a drink, including taking a drink only when there is no food in our mouth, our teeth should not touch the glass and sip the drink unhurriedly. In addition, there is a rule about how to hold the glass. Holding the stem of the glass is the true one, not the body of the glass.

Besides the five things, we also gain new knowledge about the five levels of steak doneness. There are rare, medium rare, medium, medium well done, and well done. Each level has different characteristics. The insides of the rare steak are 75% red, the medium rare steak is 50% red, the medium steak is 25% pink, the medium well done are a slight hint of pink, and the well-done steak are 100% brown.

The table manners class is the most memorable experience in 2018. The way how Mr. Arya delivers the material, how the waiters serve the food and drink, and how the tastes of each food are really amazing. Personally, I choose a green forest cake as the best one. This cake is very sweet, and successfully be the most delicious dessert I have ever eaten in 2018. This table manner class provides new experiences and new knowledge at the same time. Actually, we have learned the theory of eating and drinking etiquette in the Intercultural Communication course. By having practiced about that theory successfully makes me more understand and aware of the rules used while eating and drinking. Hopefully, this table manner is not my last experience because having this kind of table manner again is one of my bucket lists.