Essential table manners for international students

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This post was last edited by Thank goodness you're here on 2015-8-3 at 15:53. As we can all see from what’s shown on TV, foreigners really enjoy having gatherings – small ones every three days, and larger ones every five days. International students who go abroad also inevitably have to attend various parties. However, there are many Raven gatherings abroad, and the etiquette surrounding these gatherings is quite particular. Moreover, it is completely different from domestic etiquette; understanding their cultural norms regarding etiquette can help avoid many mistakes and also help one make a good impression on others. 　　I. Dress Code 　　At banquets or balls in the UK and the US, the invitation usually specifies a dress code, which can fall into the following categories: 　　① White Tie or Ultra-formal 　　This is the most formal setting, such as award ceremonies or royal dinners. 　　Man: He needs to wear a tailcoat, along with a white vest, a white shirt, and a white tie. There are two straight vertical stripes on each side of the pants. The pants use straps instead of a belt. 　　Lady: A long evening gown with a large skirt is required. 　　②Black Tie, or Formal – this is the most common requirement for formal attire. 　　Man: He needs to wear a tuxedo, with a black satin front collar, along with a white shirt, a black tie, a black belt, black socks, and black shoes. There are black satin strips made of the same fabric as the collar inserted in the seams on both sides of the pants. 　　Lady: Wear an evening gown, a low-cut, off-shoulder style, along with a matching handbag and shoes. The authenticity of jewelry such as necklaces and earrings doesn’t matter; what’s important is that it shines. Wear bracelets instead of watches. 　　③Black Tie Optional or Creative Black Tie. For men: a tuxedo or a formal dark-colored suit with a full skirt is acceptable; a tie can be worn instead of a bow, and a white shirt is preferred. 　　Lady: It can be an evening gown, a knee-length dress that doesn’t sweep the floor, or elegant separate pieces for formal occasions, along with small bags and shoes that match the formal attire. The authenticity of jewelry such as necklaces and earrings doesn’t matter; what’s important is that it shines. Wear bracelets instead of watches. 　　④Semi-formal 　　Men: Dark suit. 　　Lady: Short dresses, elegant suits. 　　⑤Cocktail 　　Cocktail parties are usually held from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and a semi-formal dress code is required. 　　Men: Wear dark suits. 　　Lady: Wear a skirt or suit of the same length as those worn during the day, but choose high-quality materials such as velvet or silk satin. The colors should be brighter and more luxurious than those of the daytime outfits; add shiny jewelry, and a scarf can also be worn. You need to wear high heels. The makeup is heavier than during the day. 　　⑥Dressy Casual 　　Men’s: Slightly more formal casual wear, such as a suit jacket paired with casual pants, or a shirt and casual trousers. 　　Lady: You can be creative with dresses, nice tops paired with pants, sweaters paired with skirts, and so on. 　　⑦Business Casual: Less formal workplace gatherings (networking parties) and some nice restaurants require business casual attire; it’s even more casual than Dressy Casual, but jeans are not allowed. 　　⑧Casual or Informal: This means that one can wear whatever they like, but shorts and sandals should be avoided, as well as formal suits and dresses. Sometimes, the more casual one’s attire, the more it reveals their taste, so it shouldn’t be taken lightly. 　　A woman looking elegant in a dress of ordinary quality is definitely more so than in jeans. Wear light makeup. 　　II. Social Etiquette Introduction: When introducing people, the general rule is to introduce the person of lower status to the one of higher status; in other words, a man should be introduced to a woman first, and a younger person to an older one. The handshake after the introduction should be brief but firm; Americans believe that a firm handshake signifies sincerity and honesty. However, if the other person is a woman, it is better to wait for her to extend her hand first to avoid being impolite. 　　On dates: Relationships between men and women are quite open in the UK and the US; going out to watch movies or eat together is very common, and engaging warmly with the opposite sex is not considered rude. Either the man or the woman can take the initiative to invite someone out; usually men are more proactive, and it’s possible for each person to pay their own share or for one person to treat the other. If an American friend says, “Let’s go get a beer” or “Want a cup of coffee?”, don’t assume they want to pay for it; in such cases, each person usually pays for their own drink. If the invitation is for a restaurant, it is possible to suggest tipping after the meal; if the host insists on refusing, there is no need to insist. 　　Dates sometimes don’t carry any other meaning, nor do they imply that one will necessarily become a special partner. So, if you want to meet up with someone to talk, watch a movie, or have dinner together to strengthen the friendship between you and spend some pleasant time, feel free to invite them generously. If you don’t want to go on a date with someone or if they behave in a way that makes you uncomfortable, you can say NO politely but firmly. Mutual respect is a fundamental principle in interactions, and it is also everyone’s right. 　　Regarding the concept of time: Appointments should be kept on time, while it is better to arrive a few minutes late when going to a banquet; it would be impolite to arrive earlier than the host. In the event of an emergency that prevents timely arrival, it is necessary to call and explain the situation; one must never just show up late and make others wait in vain. 　　Regarding attending dinners: Although Americans and Britons often say \"Come find me anytime,\" and even though some invitations are sincere, it is still advisable to call in advance to confirm the time before making a visit, so as not to cause inconvenience to the other person by showing up at any time. If you receive a formal invitation with R.S.V.P. printed on it, you must inform them by phone whether you will attend or not. Invitations for large events usually state “Regrets only,” meaning that notification is only required if one does not plan to attend. If you are not sure you can keep an appointment, do not agree to it lightly; if you are unable to attend at the last minute, please call to let us know. Please let me know if there are any dietary restrictions. Special cultural customs and dietary taboos should be understood and respected. 　　If invited to a family gathering, you can ask the host what gift they need; even if they decline, you can still bring a bottle of wine or a bouquet of flowers, or some small gifts with a Chinese touch. Unless stated otherwise, it is advisable to avoid bringing children to regular gatherings; however, if the gathering is a picnic or barbeque, families can generally attend together. Don’t forget to send a thank-you card or note to the host within three or four days after the party; if you stayed overnight at the host’s home, the thank-you card is usually sent to the hostess. 　　III. Table Manners 　　① Pay attention to the correct order of using knives and forks, as well as the purpose of forks and spoons. 　　②If the fork and knife are placed at an angle on the edge of the plate, it indicates that the meal is still in progress; if they are placed completely on the plate, it means the meal is over. 　　③Salt, **if the bottle is far away from your seat, do not reach out to get it; instead, ask someone sitting elsewhere to pass it to you. 　　④When the dessert or coffee is served, the host can begin to speak, and guests can use this opportunity to express their thanks. 　　⑤Walking and transportation: When walking, the right side is generally considered superior; when accompanied by a woman, a man should walk on the left, and a man should open the door for her. When riding in a car, the driver is at the wheel; the front seat is the most prestigious, while the right side of the back seat is the most prestigious among the other seats. When driving by oneself, one must first open the door for the passenger, and only after they are seated should one get into the car and start it. 　　IV. General Etiquette 　　1. Keep a smile on your face; when you meet friends you know, greet them actively. When others greet you, respond to them as well to show concern. 　　2. Speak in a sincere tone with an open attitude; when others greet you, respond as briefly as possible. 　　3. Praise the other person more often. Keep your eyes bright – when the other person changes their hairstyle or you look at their photos, try to praise the good aspects; as for the less favorable ones, you can view them from another perspective, for example by calling them cute. 　　4. When visiting someone’s home, take the opportunity to express your high praise and gratitude for the host’s hospitality. 　　5. Be careful to keep your appearance neat and tidy; avoid looking sloppy at all. Unpleasant body or oral odors, dandruff, and the like are very annoying. 　　6. Don’t forget to say “Excuse me,” “Please,” and “Thank You.” These words are used very often when communicating with Americans, and they are perhaps the ones we most easily overlook.