North American's Zone

Hello Pals!

Table manners may be a little more comfortable than in a restaurant, but you need be a polite person as you can be even if some other guests are not.  When you start from that place, thank the host for the lovely time you had with them and try to invite them to the next dinner party at your own home if you are staying in the United States, where they got more chances for them to visit your home.  Even some people write thank-you notes, although it is not expected by the hosts.  Likewise, there are few rules that most Americans follow while eating which can be different from other countries.  People usually wait for everybody to be served before they start eating.

Do not eat noisily, keep your mouth closed while eating, and never talk with food in your mouth.  Americans use their right hand to eat unless they are left handed.  If you need to cut something, then set down your knife on your plate and put your fork in your right hand before you take a bite and any hand that is not being used for eating should be kept in your lap.  If your table has been served wine, wait until everyone has been served before you drink.  Put the knife and fork together on the plate to explain the server that the plate can be removed.  Do not smoke at a table if not you are sitting in the smoking part of a restaurant and everyone with you has finished eating.