Mandaluyong Manpower Development Center

There are three general rules that govern acceptable conduct at the table.
     1. Be thoughtful and considerate.
     2. Handle your table equipment correctly.
     3. Eat quietly without attracting attention and without being offensive to others.
Good table conduct
     1. Be well groomed when you come to the table.
     2. Come to the table promptly when called.
     3. It is discourteous to make others wait for you and sign of thoughtlessness and inconsideration for the person who prepared the meals.
     4. Wait for the others instead of rushing to the table ahead of them, when there are older or more important person, permit them to precede you to the table.
     5. Be seated only after all have assembled at the table and then sit down from the left side of your chair. Everyone sits down at the table at the same time.
     6. If you are a man, help or assist the ladies by pulling out the chairs & pushing the chairs forward as the ladies are seated.
     7. If the grace is to be said, sit or stand quietly while it is being done.
     8. As soon as you are seated, keep your hands in your lap & elbows close to your sides so as not to interfere with someone next to you.
     9. Put your table napkin at your lap. Large napkins are partly unfolded, small napkins maybe completely unfolded.
     10. Be observant of the needs of others. See to it that the food is passed to them, do not serve you self first unless the Host asks you to do so.
     11. Eat the food serve, but be quiet about your eating.
     12. Keeping your share in the conversation but avoid talking about unpleasant or objectable topics.
     13. Apologize in the event of an accident & then try to forget your disaster.
     14. Never reach or grab for food. Request pleasantly what you want.
     15. Manage your silverware inconspicuously & learn the rules for its correct usage.