Interviewing Guide

DINING INTERVIEWS

• use your brains
• follow your host
• to use silverware start from the outside and work in
• your glass is to your right, your bread and butter plate is to your left
• napkin goes in your lap while eating; on the chair when away from the table, folded gently on the table only when you are finished and leaving the table
• no elbows on the table
• chew with your mouth closed; don’t smack your lips
• bring food to your mouth; don’t lean into the food
• don’t pick your teeth at the table
• don’t pick up anything that falls to the floor (except your napkin)
• excuse yourself when you leave the table
• do not pass items hand-to-hand; place them on the table
• pass items when requested without helping yourself first
• don’t order food you have to “fight” – eg. spaghetti, chicken, hoagies
• allow the host to be the host: set the pace, pay the bill, leave the tip
• ask your host for suggestions and follow his/her lead regarding cost and type of food
• don’t order alcohol
• don’t order the most expensive item on the menu salt and pepper together
• put butter on your plate, not directly on your bread
• tear off a bite-sized piece of bread, butter it, then eat and enjoy
• cut off only 2 or 3 bite-sized pieces of meat or salad at once
• don’t blow on soup nor stir it to cool
• wait until everyone is seated before beginning to eat
• when in doubt, don’t eat with your fingers
• never put “stuff” on the table (purse, keys, papers, etc)
• excuse yourself if you burp, hiccup, sneeze
• blow your nose after leaving the table
• don’t reapply lipstick or chapstick, use a nail file, put your hands to your hair while at the table