Etiquette Boss: What’s on your table?

January 15, 2016 Phillipa Morrish

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DINING ETIQUETTE:

Though many may not admit it, there are times when etiquette rules take a back seat, such as when we are dining at home and no guests are present. We place our condiment bottles on the table and use with abandon during the meal. However, when we invite guests, we are a bit more conscious of dining etiquette rules, because we do want to make a good impression, to go with the quality of the meal we have prepared.

Here are some of the do’s that should be observed when hosting a lunch or dinner.

• If you are using napkin rings with your napkins, do have the point of the napkin turned toward the guest instead of toward the middle of the table. The point is turned to the middle of the table after the meal, and placed on the left side of the dinner plate.

In decades past, it meant that the napkin could be used again without washing, since it was not soiled during use. Though the napkin ring is no longer the symbol of a clean, but used napkin; it is still not used for very formal dinners. Instead the napkin is folded and placed on the plate or to the left side of the fork.

• Do pour your condiments into a small bowl made of glass or porcelain, before placing on the table. This bowl will contain your condiments such as ketchup, hot sauce, jellies, butter and any other condiment except salt and pepper or oil and vinegar. Salt cellars are still being sold today, but salt and pepper shakers are quite acceptable on the table

BEAUTY TIPS:

Reduce a puffy face: To tighten and slim your face, celebrities swear by ice cubes. They place ice in cold water and use as a final rinse or they crush ice and place it in a small muslin bag before rubbing it all over the face for a few seconds.

Brighten Facial Skin: To prevent the dull look of aging skin, brighten by mixing one tablespoon of honey, one egg white and a tablespoon of powdered milk. Apply all over the face and leave on for 20 minutes before rinsing. Use regularly once per week for great results.

Phillipa Morrish is the president of Etiquette Training International, New York.