Dinner Party Etiquette

Here’s a mini crash course on dinner party etiquette, blending old-school charm with modern ease. As the host, knowing the rules of etiquette is your golden ticket—even for a laid-back soirée. Your guests will follow your lead, so set the tone with charm and confidence, keeping it poised but never pretentious.

General Etiquette: Set the Tone

• Silence your cell phone. Vibrations only—your guests deserve undivided attention.
• You’re not required to serve the wine or gifts guests bring. Accept graciously and move on.
• No deep cleaning during the party. Clearing dishes and wiping up spills is fine, but save the heavy scrubbing for after the last guest leaves.

Seating Etiquette: Orchestrate the Gathering

• Guide seating arrangements. Use place cards or direct guests as they enter the dining room.
• Gentlemen traditionally stand behind their chairs until the ladies are seated.
• Be flexible for latecomers. Extend the cocktail hour, but don’t delay dinner more than 15 minutes.
• Serve late guests the current course—don’t rewind the menu.

Tableware Rules: Decode the Mystery

• Dishes to the left, glasses to the right belong to you. Remember this golden rule to avoid table confusion.
• Start outward, work inward. Use the silverware farthest from the plate for each course.
• Used silverware stays off the table. Place it on your plate or bread plate when not in use.
• Signal you’re done. Lay your silverware together in the 5 o’clock position, tines up.

Napkin Nuances: Fold with Flair

• Start small. When the host unfolds their napkin, follow suit—don’t shake it open like a magician.
• Napkin on chair means “Be right back.” Place it on your chair if you leave the table temporarily.
• Napkin on the table signals “All done.” The host signals the end of the meal by placing their napkin to the left of the plate.

Dining Decorum: Eat Like a Pro

• Wait for the host. Start eating only after they’ve taken the first bite, unless told otherwise.
• Sip, don’t gulp. Scoop soup away from you and sip silently. No dunking the entire spoon into your mouth.
• Hot food? Be patient. Let it cool naturally—blowing on it is a no-no.
• Squeeze lemons discreetly. Cup your hand over them to avoid citrus chaos.
• Break bread bite by bite. Butter only the piece you’re about to eat.
• Use the stem when drinking from stemware. It’s elegant and practical.
• Salt and pepper are always passed together. These besties are never separated.

Serving Insights: Be a Smooth Operator

• Serve food from the left and clear from the right.
• Serve and clear beverages from the right. 
• Don’t stack dishes. While clearing, stacking may seem like an innocent time-saver, but it’s a hosting faux pas.
• Declining wine? Signal politely by covering your glass with your hand.

Make your guests feel relaxed and comfortable by overlooking the occasional etiquette misstep. A little grace goes a long way, and with any luck, they’ll return the favor.

Master these tips, and you’ll host a polished dinner party where your guests feel pampered, entertained, and thoroughly delighted!