Open Topic: The Way to Fine Dining
Singapore is a haven for food as well as a business hub. At one point, or another, in time, there will definitely be the need to dine with clients, business partners, and bosses. By displaying good dining etiquettes, it will reflect well on one’s professionalism. In the workplace, one’s work capability is, of course, most important. However, by topping up one’s capability with knowledge from other aspects, it will definitely be a bonus and will aid in building good corporate relationships.
From information available on the internet, there are unbelievably many rules to follow for good dining etiquette. This ranges from ways to deal with the napkin to the handling of the different types of food. Hence, I shall pick out 2 items to discuss about here.
There are 2 methods when using the fork and knife. For Continental style, hold the knife in the right hand and fork in the left hand. After which, eat food with fork still in the left hand.
Similarly for the American style, cut food with the fork in left hand and knife in right hand. Cut only one piece at a time. The difference between the 2 styles is, after cutting the food, the American style requires one to switch the fork to the right hand. Bring the food up to your mouth with the tines on the fork facing upward. Don’t stab your food or hold the silverware with your fists. And be careful not to gesture or point with your silverware, whether or not it has food on it. Once used, your utensils, including the handles, should not touch the table again. Always rest forks, knives, and spoons on the side of your plate or in the bowl.
With regards to handling the napkin, it should be left on the lap till the end of the meal. If one is excusing from the table, he or she should fold the napkin loosely and place it on the side of the plate. The napkin should not be clump up on the table or left on the chair. In addition, it should not be used to clean the cutlery or wipe the face, and using it to wipe the nose is the last thing one should do. At the end of the meal, the napkin should be semi-folded at the left side of the setting and should not be crumpled or folded.
There are already so much miniature details on handling just a piece of cloth that we used to think it is just for wiping the mouth. Thus, we can see that having a good and thorough knowledge on dining etiquette is no easy task. However, I believe this knowledge can be slowly attained through experiences.
Glenn replied:
Hi Wan Yee,
Thanks for sharing those tips, they could be useful in future!
I have to admit something. I’m someone who really hates fine dining and all their rules. I believe that if one wants to enjoy his or her meal, he or she should eat it comfortably and not to worry about all those rules. I really hate those people who came up with those rules. (Sorry if it is abit too direct)
Anyway, though I feel that one should be comfortable eating, others should also be comfortable with how you eat. So, we should try not to eat disgustingly.
But if someone were to judge me on how I eat just because I used the wrong hand or I placed the napkin on the chair, I actually have no respect for such a judgemental person.
Just my take on this issue. The thing is, I do not know if people still keep to the rules of fine dining nowadays. In the past, people were more formal. Now it feels like no one actually adheres strictly to the rules anymore. There are just too many interpretations and styles.
Cheers,
Glenn
March 26, 2009 at 11:17 pm. Permalink.
wychoo replied:
Hey Glenn,
Thanks for the comment!
I agree with you that one should eat with ease and not be too burdened by the etiquettes. Maybe the locals are not too bothered about this while westerners tend to be slightly more aware???
On your take about those people who judge others on how they eat, I was “lucky” enough to be commented by a classmate who noticed that I held the knife with the wrong hand. That comment stays with me till now because I used to think no young people would actually care much about such etiquettes.
Seems like there are really such judgement people out there.
Cheers,
wanyee
March 28, 2009 at 9:17 am. Permalink.
Huiwen replied:
Hi Wanyee,
I was more and more amused as I read through your blog post.
I have never known such dining etiquettes! Thanks for sharing. To me, I have to say they are very intricate issues, even the way you place the napkin (either left or right), crumpled or folded also matters. To a certain extent, it is troublesome to me that we have to take notice of such minor details during fine dining.
I have no idea how important these dining etiquettes are out there now, but definitely, we have to make sure that nothing can go wrong when we meet our future clients and bosses. It is still best to know all these etiquettes and like you said, it will reflect well on one’s professionalism and will definitely be a bonus. =) I guess everyone should start to do their own homework on fine dining etiquettes soon. well written post! =)
Love,
Huiwen
April 3, 2009 at 10:10 pm. Permalink.
Jie Li replied:
Hi Wan Yee,
An insightful and enlightening post! =)
Actually, I also hold the fork in my right hand and knife in my left. After reading your post, it leaves me thinking that I should practise eating with the fork in my left hand and knife in my right instead (haha).
In fact, everyone appreciates good dining etiquette. Just like in everyday life, we also enjoy to dine with others who observe basic etiquette such as not talking with mouth full of food. However, in the case of having business meals at high-class restaurants, more sophisticated dining etiquette comes in, as we would like to impress upon our clients or business partners. Having fine dining etiquette would portray a professional and refined image to the other parties present, which is favourable regardless of whether they are particular about it.
It is fascinating that there are rules pertaining to which hand to hold which utensils and the positions which the utensils are left on the plates also signify different meanings. In the context of France, placing the fork and knife together in the middle of the plate signifies that you have finished eating and it is polite to have your hands visible during dining. Interestingly, if any of your hands are not visible, people might assume that you are playing with the legs of the ladies/ gentleman next to you.
Observing such complex dining etiquette might cause undue stress during business meals and I definitely agree you that we can slowly attained it through experiences.
I’ve learnt much from your post. Thanks for sharing!
Cheers,
Jie Li
April 5, 2009 at 3:36 pm. Permalink.
Benjamin replied:
Hi Wanyee,
Thanks for the interesting post! I think that this is a topic which may not come up very often in Singapore, where many of the formal rules of etiquette are relaxed. Hence, it was a great idea to bring this up, especially if some of us intend to work overseas in the future.
In Singapore, many people are unaware of the finer points of etiquette. This my be due partly to the rapid pace of our development, which did not allow for us to pick up eacy and every nicety of formal behaviour. However, in certain circumstances, observing all the formalities is simply unrealistic in Singapore. I have read several travel guides which advise foreign business travelers that suits are not necessary for businessmen in Singapore – the weather is simply too hot!
Like Glenn, I am personally not fond of people who set store by these formal rules of etiquette. I would far prefer to govern my behaviour through practical considerations. For example, if I am involved in a business meeting over a meal, I have found that it may be a good practice to take only small bites of your meal, so that you can quickly swallow and resume speaking if required.
If we do travel to a location where such rules are observed, we would do well to be aware of them. However, if we only intend to conduct our business locally, perhaps we may choose to expect foreign visitors to adopt local customs instead.
Perhaps we should include dining etiquette into our curriculum. It would be a good excuse for having a nice meal.
Regards,
Benjamin
April 5, 2009 at 6:36 pm. Permalink.