UK
When going through the door into the building or the dining room, hold the door open for the person behind you.
You take the door from the person holding it. You don't sail past as if they are a permanent doorman.
At a wedding or formal dinner there may be a seating plan.
At the table you might have a place card with your name on it.
Cheese Knife
The cheese knife has reached the UK from France. A cheese knife has a double sharp point and a series of holes.
The correct way to cut cheese is so that a circle of cheese is cut into triangular slices like cake.
You cut along one of the long sides so that the next person receives a triangular piece, not a piece cut at the waist.
What are the holes for? So the knife does not stick to soft cheese.
Do not pass food with your fingers but pass the whole plate or use a serving spoon.
Do not speak whilst eating.
At a formal dinner when a minister of religion is present, wait for grace before meals before starting.
You should wait for everybody to be served food before you start. If there is clearly a delay, the person beside you or the last person to be served might tell you, "Please go ahead. Don't wait for me."
In the UK and USA, don't put your elbows on the table. You might put your hands in your lap.
Leave a small amount of the food on your plate. If you finish it, the host thinks you are still hungry and offers more.
French Au Pair Anecdote
Never dunk your biscuits in the coffee at breakfast. Most UK biscuits will disintegrate in hot coffee. Our French au pair girl did this. We watched, mesmerised. She ended up with her fingertips together and the biscuit vanished into the coffee where it formed a sludge at the bottom.
UK Restaurants
In UK restaurants you often tip ten percent. Some places the money on a credit card is taken by the management so staff prefer to be given cash tips - ideally out of sight of the boss.
In pubs you often buy a round, for everybody at your table or in your group. Another person buys the next round.
UK taxis
Taxi drivers help with luggage and fetch trolleys and expect a tip.
Hairdressers may expect a tip, especially low-paid junior staff.
FRANCE
You should keep your hands on the table, from wrist level. Why? So that people know you are not touching anybody else or doing anything untoward under the table. (The same applies in other countries in Europe.)
In restaurants, couples sit facing each other.
GERMANY
Do not take the host red roses, which are reserved for romance.
Arrive on time.
Use surnames until invited to use first names.
Finish food on your plate.
In a smart restaurant, you eat pizza with a knife and fork.
When finished, put your cutlery at the 5 o'clock position.
Swiss flag.
SWITZERLAND
Similar to France and Germany.
Arrive on time.
Fondue
(Melted cheese. You dunk your bread cubes in it.
USA
It is customary to use first names.
Cut up food and then use only the fork, which is transferred from the left hand to the right hand.
You could tip up to 25% in smart restaurants or if you are given a free meal.
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Useful Websites
FRANCE
https://www.frenchtoday.com/blog/french-culture/how-to-place-your-hands-and-silverware-at-the-french-table
GERMANY
https://www.german-way.com/travel-and-tourism/germany-for-tourists/dining-out-in-germany/dining-etiquette-in-germany/
SPAIN
http://www.notesfromspain.com/2007/03/29/spanish-table-manners-do-you-know-the-rules/
SWITZERLAND
https://www.expatica.com/ch/about/culture-history/swiss-table-manners-matter-107231/
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Author
Angela Lansbury, Travel writer and photographer, author and speaker.
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Great travel tips but my first preference is the UK. You can do a lot of things. Great places to visit. Awesome tips and one of them is to book meet and greet Birmingham.
ReplyDeleteGreat piece of writing content. I appreciate your hard working on it. Moreover, if you're planning to travel from the UK and want to save an extra amount of money then book short stay parking Stansted.
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