7 Dining Etiquette Rules to Host The Best Parties

Posted on December 1, 2022 at 12:00 AM by Becky Smith

Are you prepared to host the best parties this year?

Formal Dining Table Setting

What's the secret to hosting a fun, successful party? You might think it's choosing the right venue or ensuring enough appetizers and drinks. But if you ask me, the answer is much more straightforward: knowing how to behave at the table.

When you know these nine dining etiquette rules, you'll be able to talk comfortably with anyone at any event—from elegant wedding receptions to backyard barbecues—and avoid awkward moments. So sit back and relax; here are my tips on surviving and thriving at any event where food and drink are served!

7 Tips When you Host and Attend a Party

Send out Invitations

The type of invitation you send will depend on the dinner, you host. Paper invitations are the best, but email or a text invitation will work for less formal occasions.

Don't seat yourself at the head of the table.

After you set the dining table nicely with festive napkins and dinner plates, it’s time to eat. If you are hosting or being hosted, it is essential to remember that there is always a chance that someone will make an unintentional faux pas.

In this case, it's best to go with whatever flow of events goes on throughout the meal; if your guest decides to sit at the head of your table, don't make them stand up again and move!

Always be polite.

Being polite to servers, bartenders, and another service staff is essential when hosting a party. Remember that the people who work in restaurants are often underpaid and overworked; they are not there for their health. They have bills to pay too!

TIP: If your guest has yet to arrive on time, wait at least 15 minutes before checking what time they will come.

Make sure you have enough space.

It is nothing worse than having all your family and friends over only to realize that you don’t have enough dining chairs to seat everyone. If your table is not big enough to seat everyone, use the space in your living room and seat people on your sofa and accent chairs with tray tables.

Know your way around the tableware.

It's important to know what each piece of tableware is called and how it's used. For instance, the difference between different types of forks and spoons might seem trivial, but if you need to know the difference, you could use the wrong utensil for your food.

For a formal dinner, the placement of your dinnerware is essential. First, add your utensils from left to right: knife, fork, and spoon. The blade of the knife should go on the right side of each plate, the dessert spoon should go above it, and the salad fork should go to the left of the plate.

When you finish eating, rest your utensils on your plate, not the table.

Never put your elbows on the table.

The first rule of table manners is to avoid putting your elbows on the table. This includes resting your chin in one hand, picking your teeth with a fork, or even just leaning slightly too far forward for casual conversation.

If someone offers you something at the table—another serving of mashed potatoes—it's best not to reach across the table with an elbow; extend your hand instead.

Eat with gusto, but don't talk with your mouth full or crunch loudly.

Eat with your mouth closed. It's easy to forget this one since we've been doing it since childhood, but remember that others are also trying to enjoy the delicious food! Also, avoid talking while chewing and drinking while chewing.

If you must use a toothpick, do it in the most discreet way possible. This means no chewing on it, no using it as a prop to make a point, and no holding the toothpick in your mouth while speaking.

The host has a lot of responsibilities, but knowing these dining etiquette rules can make it easier!

Hosting a party is a lot of work, but if you follow these dining etiquette rules, your guests will feel more comfortable, and you’ll be able to enjoy yourself more.

The host ensures everyone has what they need and want at the table. This includes ensuring that glasses are filled, plates are cleared, and serving food if necessary. The host should also take care of the guests by providing they have a good time and enjoy themselves during their visit to your home.

The Joys of Hosting

If you've ever hosted a dinner party, felt like it was too much work, or wondered how to ensure your guests are having a good time, this article is for you. Following the dining etiquette rules will help your next event go smoothly so that everyone can enjoy themselves without feeling awkward or uncomfortable.