The Tools of the Table Manners

Etiquette is the art of making other people feel comfortable and the tools of the table are indeed the tools of business.
Here is a list of Do's and Don'ts to dining with manners and style.

Do's:
Place your napkin on your lap with the fold facing your stomach.
If you have to leave the table during a meal place the napkin to the left of your plate.
Use you napkin to dab your lips prior to having a sip of your beverage.
In today's global society, I recommend that the hands are
always seen when dining. Use the rule of always, sometimes
and never. Hands always showing, forearms sometimes showing
on the table and elbows never on the table.
Bread: break, never cut a small piece of bread and butter that piece.
Silverware: start from the outside of the place setting and work in toward the plate.

Don'ts:
Don't push your plate away from you when you are finished.
Don't rest your cutlery half on and half off the plate.
Don't pick up anything that you have dropped during the meal.
Don't place your handbag/purse on the table.Use handbag hanger
Don't apply lipstick or comb your hair at the table.
Don't blow your nose at the table.
Don't answer your cell phone during a meal.

The doors to success open wider with the daily use of good
etiquette and manners. Manners are not something to be showcased during special events or for company. Good manners add polish and presence to the substance of you at your personal and professional best.