Dinner Dates: Basic Dining Etiquette Tips
Good manners are important and basic dining etiquette can go a long way, especially when you’re dining out with a date. Dinner dates are not something to be stressed about… just use some common sense and you will be fine.
Proper Dining Etiquette For A Date
- No Phones
Some phone calls may be important but most really aren’t. Put your phone on silent and don’t insult your date by constantly talking on the phone while on your date. That is poor dining etiquette for a dinner date.
- Order Easy Food
Ideally, you should be able to eat anything and everything you wish but it is wise to be a little conscious on your dinner date. By ordering easy food, you minus out unnecessary stress. Also, if you are not paying for the date, it is polite dining etiquette not to order the most expensive dish on the menu.
- Carry Money
Women usually expect a guy to pay on the date but he is not obliged to do so. It is poor dinner date etiquette to turn up for a date with absolutely no money to pay for your own share. If you are a woman, always offer to pay so the boy does not think you are freeloading.
Table Etiquette To Remember
- Elbows Off The Table
It is a basic dining etiquette rule we have all learned as children. When at your table, sit up straight and tuck your elbows in. A straight posture will also make your date think you are confident and not slouching due to nervousness.
- Wait To Eat
Yes you are there to eat but wait till your date’s meal arrives as well and then the proper dinner date thing to do is to start eating together. Also, try not to rush through the meal so you and your date finish eating at roughly the same time.
- Soup Rules
It is poor dining etiquette to slurp on your soup and it is disgusting for your date. The basic dinner etiquette for soups to remember is you should scoop it away not scoop it towards you and try not to shovel it into your mouth.
- Food Cutting
It is good table etiquette to cut your food into regular sized portions that are just right sized to fight into your mouth so your date doesn’t think you haven’t eaten in ages. Also, remember to keep your mouth closed when chewing.
Dining etiquette is mostly common sense about what is acceptable and what is not. When on a dinner date, just use your common sense about what is socially acceptable and you should be fine.
