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Etiquette affects almost every aspect of dining. Dining etiquette rules apply before you ever take your seat and continue after you excuse yourself from the table.

For almost all meals, if you are wondering what utensil to use, start from the outside and work your way in. So, if you are served a salad first, use the fork set to the far left of your plate.

Your water glass is the one above your knife in your place setting.

Don't chew with your mouth open.

Sometimes, proper dining etiquette, whether in a restaurant or at home, is not obvious. Making a dining etiquette mistake, and everyone's attention is drawn to that mistake. Most of us need a dining etiquette refresher from time-to-time.

1. SEATING ETIQUETTE

Your host may have seating arrangements in mind, so you should allow him to direct you to your seat. As the host, you should suggest the seating arrangements.

In a restaurant, the guest of honour should sit in the best seat at the table. Usually that is one with the back of the chair to the wall. Once the guest of honour's seat is determined, the host should sit to her left. Other people are then offered seats around the table.

2. NAPKIN ETIQUETTE

At informal meals, place the napkin in your lap immediately upon seating. During formal occasions, before unfolding the napkin, wait for the hostess to remove her napkin from the table and unfold it in her lap.

3. FOOD SERVICE ETIQUETTE

Duringservice of a formal dinner, the food is brought to each diner at the table; the server presents the platter or bowl on the diner's left. At a more casual meal, either the host dishes the food onto guests' plates for them to pass around the table or the diners help themselves to the food and pass it to others as necessary.

4. THE TABLE SETTING

Deciding which knife, fork, or spoon to use is made easier by the outside-in table manners rule – using utensils on the outside first and working your way inward.

5. WHEN TO START EATING

At a small table of only two to four people, wait until everyone else has been served before starting to eat. At a formal or business meal, you should either wait until everyone is served to start or begin when the host asks you to.

6. HANDLING UTENSILS

The continental table manners style prevails at all meals, formal and informal, because it is a natural, non-disruptive way to eat.

-Hold your fork in your left hand, tines downward.

-Hold your knife in your right hand, an inch or two above the plate.

-Extend your index finger along the top of the blade.

-Use your fork to spear and lift food to your mouth.

-If your knife is not needed, it remains on the table.

At informal meals the dinner fork may be held tines upward, American table manners style.

7. PASSING THE FOOD

Pass to the right. One diner either holds the dish as the next diner takes some food, or he hands it to the person, who then serves herself. Any heavy or awkward dishes are put on the table with each pass. Special rules apply to passing salt and pepper and passing bread and butter.

8. RESTING UTENSILS

When you pause to take a sip of your beverage or to speak with someone, rest your utensils by placing your knife and fork on your plate near the center, slightly angled in an inverted V and with the tips of the knife and fork pointing toward each other.

9. MEALS END

At a formal affair, plates are removed by a professional staff. But as most informal meals are served without help, the hostess clears the plates, often with the help of a guest or two. At a family meal, members clear their own plates.

Leaving the dining room. To signal dinner is concluded, the hostess catches the eye of the host, lays her napkin on the table, and suggests that everyone go into another room for coffee and after-dinner drinks. The hostess rises from her chair.

When it's time to leave, rather than detain one's host with a lengthy good-bye, make the departure brief but cordial

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Japanese Dining Etiquette

Tables and Seating

Some restaurants in Japan have low tables and cushions on tatami floor instead of (or in addition to) Western style chairs and tables. Shoes and slippers have to be removed before stepping on tatami. Also, avoid stepping onto cushions other than your own.

Eating

Wet towels (oshibori) are provided at most restaurant to clean your hands before eating. After ordering, it is common to wait for everyone's order and then to start the meal with the phrase "itadakimasu" ("I gratefully receive"). If a dish is better eaten right away but others at the table have not been served yet, the phrases "osaki ni dōzo" ("please go ahead") or "osaki ni itadakimasu" ("allow me to start before you") can be useful.

When eating from small bowls, it is correct manner to pick up the bowl with your hand and lead it close to your mouth when eating from it; however, larger types of dishes should generally not be picked up. When eating from shared dishes (as it is commonly done at some restaurants such asizakaya), it is polite to use the opposite end of your chopsticks or dedicated serving chopsticks for moving food.

Blowing your nose at the table, burping and audible munching are considered bad manners in Japan. On the other hand, it is considered good style to empty your dishes to the last grain of rice. If there are food items that you do not like or cannot eat, replacements may be available at restaurants or ryokan if you tell them in advance. Otherwise, it is advisable to leave the items on the dish.

After finishing your meal, it is generally good manner to return all your dishes to how they were at the start of the meal. This includes replacing the lids on dishes and putting your chopsticks back on the chopstick rest or in its paper holder. Conclude the meal with the phrase "gochisōsama deshita" ("thank you for the feast") which includes gratitude not only towards the cook but also the ingredients consumed.

Drinking

Do not start drinking until everybody at the table has a drink and the glasses are raised for a drinking salute, which usually is "kampai".

When drinking alcoholic beverages, it is customary to serve each other, rather than pour your own drink. Periodically check your friends' cups and refill their drinks if their cups are getting empty. Likewise, if someone wants to serve you more alcohol, you should drink some from your glass before holding it towards that person.

While it is considered bad manners to become obviously drunk in some formal restaurants, for example high-end restaurants that serve kaiseki ryori (Japanese haute cuisine), the same is not true for other types of restaurants such as izakaya, as long as you do not bother other guests.

If you do not drink alcohol, it is not impolite to say so and request for other beverages instead. Non-alcoholic beverages that are usually available include alcohol-free beer, tea, juices and carbonated drinks.

How to Eat Different Types Of Dishes

Rice

Hold the rice bowl in one hand and the chopsticks in the other. Lift the bowl towards your mouth while eating. Do not pour soy sauce over white, cooked rice

Sushi

Pour some soy sauce into the small dish provided. It is considered bad manners to waste soy sauce, so try not to pour more sauce than you will be using.

You do not need to add wasabi into the soy sauce, as sushi pieces that go well with wasabi will contain it already. However, if you choose to add wasabi, use only a small amount so as not to offend the sushi chef. If you do not like wasabi, you can request that none is added into your sushi.

In general, you are supposed to eat a sushi piece in one bite. Attempts to separate a piece into two generally end in the destruction of the beautifully prepared sushi. Hands or chopsticks can be used to eat sushi.

In case of nigiri-sushi, dip the piece into the soy sauce upside-down so that the fish enters the sauce. A few kinds of nigiri-sushi, for example, marinated pieces, should not be dipped into soy sauce.

In case of gunkan-sushi, pour a small amount of soy sauce over the sushi piece rather than dipping it into the sauce.

Sashimi

Pour some soy sauce into the small dish provided. Put some wasabi on the sashimi piece, but be careful not to use too much as this will overpower the taste of the fish. Dip the sashimi pieces into the soy sauce. Some types of sashimi are enjoyed with ground ginger rather than wasabi.

Miso Soup

Drink the miso soup out of the bowl as if it were a cup, and fish out the solid food pieces with your chopsticks

Noodles

Using your chopsticks, lead the noodles into your mouth. You may want to try to copy the slurping sound of people around you if you are dining in a noodle shop. Rather than being bad manner, slurping noodles is considered evidence of enjoying the meal and enhances the flavour.

In case of noodle soup, be careful of splashing the noodles back into the liquid. If a ceramic spoon is provided, use it to drink the soup; otherwise, lift the bowl to your mouth and drink from it directly.

Curry Rice (And Other Rice Dishes With A Sauce)

Japanese curry rice and other rice dishes, in which the rice is mixed with a sauce (for example, some domburi dishes) can be difficult to eat with chopsticks. Large spoons are often provided for these dishes, instead.

Big Pieces Of Food (e.g. Prawn Tempura, Tofu, Korokke)

Separate into bite sized pieces with your chopsticks (this takes some exercise), or just bite off a piece and put the rest back onto your plate.

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Dining Etiquette is very important, as people will form the first impression and judge. So, it is important that we practice dining etiquette for all occasions.
For example, in India,
They wash their hands properly before mealtimes (for hygiene issues) and eat with their hands, normally their right hands.
They use their hands to take their food, which is usually bite sized, with their right hands.
To them, the food which has been dipped with fingers and cutlery used for eating is considered dushita(literally "blemished, spoiled",[7] sometimes jhoota or contaminated)
Also, the precept of not contaminating all the food or a drink with bacteria or viruses in one's saliva is of particular concern among older people and when the health of someone could be threatened through cross contamination.
The tradition also varies, from finishing all the food on one's plate to only eating what one feels like eating and leaving the rest to others.

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How to call a waiter politely?

Raise your hand, but don't wave. Most waiters are very busy but will get to you eventually. Be patient if the restaurant is packed. The waiter might have many tables to help besides yours.

Talk to your waiter with respect. Control your tone and attitude, a bossy or condescending way of speaking is not needed. Never yell or snap your fingers to get attention.
Make eye contact with the waiter.

Try to always remain polite. If your waiter is ignoring you, be patient, he or she may be busy and stressed out with too much work.

Remember that if the food does not taste good that the waiter is not responsible; if the food is cool, then it would be uncommon that the waiting staff is at fault, but it could happen.

Avoid behaviors that will make your waiter want to pull out his or her hair and give you slow service.

Changing your mind over dishes after they have been ordered

Telling your waiter it is time to order than make them stand there for 10 minutes because you really have not decided what you want.

Drinking too much alcohol

Harassing other wait staff/customers

Asking them out on a date

Talking about your waiter even if he or she is standing right there.

Ask for separate checks after the waiter bring you the bill or order dessert after the waiter brings the bill

Asking the waiter to come back over and over again to take your order.

Grabbing any waiter by the elbow to get service is a big no no. Don't ever touch your waiter!

Practice good manners when the waiter does arrive at your table and you are with a large party, do not ignore him or her. Very rude.

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Below is the resting placement of your utensils.

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Etiquette does not only include how to dine but also your seating arrangement, clothings and what you say when dining. First impressions are made through dining and if you wear shaggy clothes and use vulgar words :(((((( too bad for your companion. Choosing the right form of words is also a form of etiquette, for example spaghetti (is this the correct spelling??)is not a good food to choose as people usually slurps on the noodles rather than place them on their spoon and into their mouth. Using a spoon is the most important things that people look when they are dining with someone as spoons dining etiquette will only be taught by your parents if they know them, However, most Singaporeans are ignorant to this.

How to use a spoon?

For drinking soup, drag your spoon across your bowl and scoop the soup up before drinking it with the front part. Hold the spoon with two fingers and the other fingers supporting it. If you do not hold the utensil or drop it while dining, you will make the worst impression of people that you do not have table manners.

This are some of the dining etiquette in chinese culture:

1.If someone is making the introductions, to introduce your self is considered disrespectful. So when it is your turn to be introduced, stand up, smile and look at the people also being introduced with ease. After being introduced, you can shake hands with each other and give mutual greetings, sometimes with an exchange of calling cards.

2.In China, there are many strict conventional rules on introduction to others:
a. The junior should be introduced to the senior first;
b. The male should be introduced to the female first;
c. The inferior should be introduced to the superior first;
d. The host should be introduced to the guest first.
These ways of introduction is to show high respect to the senior, the female, the superior and the guest. However, if you are in a generally more informal occasion, the introduction to others can be less ceremonious.

3.It's said that the comity of handshaking originated in remote antiquity. At that time, human beings lived on hunting. If they happened to meet a stranger, they would throw their hunting tools aside and laid open the hands to show the person. With the change of eras, this action has become etiquette in people's life.

A cheers with your glass to your elderly can determine everything too.
If everyone else at the table is drinking, you'll most likely be put under tremendous pressure to participate — particularly in business settings. Unless you're a monk or pregnant, you'll be expected to give a concerted effort to match glass for glass with your hosts. An even more nightmarish scenario involves matching drink for drink with a company's elected drinking representatives. Yes, that's a thing!

If you choose not to decline, you'll need to make your intentions to abstain clear from the beginning. The choice in many scenarios is pretty much all in or nothing at all. Drinking sporadically — skipping a toast here and there — or drinking just a little is usually socially unacceptable.

Although you may get chided a little for not being able to keep up, good humor and getting a laugh from the group go a long way when drinking in China. Use humor to your advantage; it can be your superpower. The group will love that you can take a joke and laugh at yourself!

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Why is etiquette important?
The foundation of etiquette is basically behavior that is accepted as gracious and polite in social, professional, and family situations. Good manners can mean the difference between success and failure in many aspects of life. good etiquette will make bonds stronger as the opposite party will have a simple yet firm impression of you which is GOOD!

What is Social Etiquette?
Social etiquette involves how you behave out in the public, with friends and strangers, whether you are at someone's home or in a restaurant. If you treat your friends and neighbors with respect, you are more likely to remain on their lists of people they trust, care about, and invite to parties. It also prevents you from being embarrassed later by behavior that was unbecoming or offensive. This includes social media, which can magnify your behavior.

Basic social etiquette rules:

Always be on time for dates and get-togethers. Showing up late is rude and shows a lack of respect for other people’s time.

Make eye contact when you are in a conversation with someone. Avoid looking over the other person’s shoulder unless you see potential danger.

Never interrupt the other person.

Give and receive compliments graciously.

Refuse to gossip with and about friends. After all, if you share gossip with someone, that person will wonder what you are saying behind his or her back.

Hold doors for anyone who seems to be struggling, including the elderly, physically challenged, and parents with young children.

What is Dining Etiquette and what are the Dos and Donts(tips)?
Dining etiquette plays a role in everyday life, as well as our professional lives. Often times, employers enjoy conducting interviews, networking or having meetings over lunch or dinner. The last thing you want to do is embarrass yourself in front of your prospective boss!

First impressions are extremely important when meeting new people or being considered for a job. Here are a few tips for creating a positive first impression:

Always smile!

Beware of your body language – avoid crossing your arms, slouching and dragging your feet

Appropriate attire – Business casual is always a safe way to go when meeting with an employer, unless otherwise stated. Make sure your clothes are clean, wrinkle free and appropriate sizes.

Handshake – a good handshake should be firm but not bone crushing. Fingers should be together with thumb up and open.

Eye Contact – always make eye contact when speaking with someone and when shaking their hand

Cell phones – although we are an ever evolving, technological generation, the use of your cell/smart phone is never appropriate at a business meeting of any kind, especially a lunch/dinner meeting! Avoid texting, tweeting, updating your status and answering phone calls! The best way to avoid temptation? Leave your phone in your car! Or your purse, bag, or even at home!

Navigating the table – Have you ever wondered which bread plate is yours, the left or the right? A simple way to remember this is using the acronym BMW – Bread, Meal, Water. This means you start from the left and make your way to the right. Your bread plate is first, then your meal plate, and then your water. This is handy when arranging place settings at an event you’re hosting, too.Important note: Once used, your utensils do not touch the table again. Always rest your utensils on the side of your plate, with your knife blade facing in and your fork facing down.

Ever wonder how to properly serve or pass food around the table? Do you start from the left or the right? Appropriate dining etiquette requires that food be passed from the left to the right – not over top of anyone’s meals. If someone asks for salt or pepper you should always pass them both. When serving food, it should always be served on the left side of the person, and dishes are to be removed from the right. Don’t forget to say “Please and thank you!”

And finally, here is a list of the top dining mistakes often made:

Top Dining Mistakes

Arriving late – always arrive a few moments before scheduled time

Talking with your mouth full – take small bites, and swallow your food first

Chewing with your mouth open

Cell phone use – keep it away and off the table

Burping – excuse yourself from the table and walk away

Purses, glasses, phones on the table – keep them on the floor or hooked on your chair

Picking your teeth – excuse yourself and go to the washroom

Poor posture – sit up straight, do not cross your legs

Tasting someone else’s food

Blowing your nose

Wearing your hat

Start eating right away – wait for everyone to be served first!

Difference between American and European Style of Dining Etiquette?
(Utensils are my main focus.The rest will touch on their part so that as a group,we can present the differences altogether.)
American Style – Knife in right hand, fork in left hand holding food. After a few bite sized pieces of food are cut, place knife on the edge of the plate with the blades facing in. Eat food by switching the fork to the right hand (unless you are left handed).

European Style – Knife in right hand, fork in left hand. Cut your food and eat the food with your fork still in your left hand. Keep the fork prongs facing down throughout the entire eating process. The difference here is that you do not switch hands.  If you take a drink, you put both utensils down into the resting position: crossing your fork over your knife. Once you are finished your meal, place your utensils in the finishes position – side by side, angled on your plate.

Below is the placement of your utensils when you have finished your food.