50 Etiquette Faux Pas

Gilly’s CharmSchool–Presenter, Sandra Brown,

A faux pas (pronounced /ˌfoʊˈpɑː/, plural: faux pas/ˌfoʊˈpɑː(z)/) is a violation of accepted social norms (for example, standard customs or etiquette rules).[1] Faux pas vary widely from culture to culture, and what is considered good manners in one culture can be considered a faux pas in another. The term comes originally from French, and literally means "false step"[2]

I know, most of you say, I know all about proper etiquette, but do you? Well, let’s see…. I will give you a list of somethings that I NEVER want to see you do in public.

Lets start with the easy stuff:

  1. Never put your arms and elbows on the table
  2. Never talk with food in your mouth
  3. Never blow your nose at the table
  4. When setting the table for a formal dinner, never place the fork on the napkin, the napkin goes to the left of the fork.
  5. The knife blades always face the place.
  6. Don’t begin eating, until the host gives you the ok, or until all the food has arrived.
  7. Always serve your guest on the right.
  8. Always place your napkin in your lap, never tuck in under your chin.
  9. Never shake your napkin open.
  10. Don’t clean the cutlery with the napkin.
  11. Don’t wipe your face with the napkin.
  12. Do not steal silverware from the neighboring table, wait for the server, he/she will bring you a set.
  13. Ask if you don’t know...don’t murder the name of a dish.
  14. Don’t bring food from the outside into a restaurant.
  15. Don’t take food to a friends and take the leftovers with you, unless the host insist.
  16. Eat toyour left, drink to you right.
  17. While passing food at the table, pass from the left to the right.
  18. Place all passed items directly on the table, not hand to hand.
  19. No interceptions at the table, don’t steal a dinner roll from the basket as it is being passed.
  20. Butter, spreads and dips, should be transferred from the serving dishes to your plate...then spead and dip! Never double dip.
  21. Never turn your glasses or cups upside down to indicate that you care not to have any, it is acceptable to clamly place your hand over the glass or cup to say no thank you.
  22. Don’t blow on your food, be patient and let it cool off.
  23. Scoop food away from you, when eating.
  24. Taste before seasoning, it offends the cook to see you shake before tasting.
  25. Who enjoys playing hide and seek at the dinner table? When passing the salt, always send the pepper.
  26. When you have completed your meal, place your napkin in your plate, the server should remove your plate from the left.
  27. Don’t re-fold your napkin, and please don’t wad it up, but place it nicely on your plate or on the left side of your plate, when you have completed your meal.
  28. Do not put your napkin in your chair, while temportarty leaving the table. Place it to the right of your plate.
  29. Waiters are no longer called waiters, the proper name is “Server”.
  30. Tip, please tip the server, 15% to 20%, more if the service is very good.
  31. Don’t forget to cancel your resturant reservations if you can’t make it, if you are going to be more thatn 15 minutes late, call and inform the restaurant.
  32. Ladies, never apply your lipstick at the table, excuse yourself from the table, go to the powder room.
  33. Do not use a toothpick at the table.
  34. Do not push your plate away from you or stack them on the table.
  35. Do not answer your phone at the table.
  36. Do not continue your phone conversations while being serviced, example, in the check-out line, at the cleaners.
  37. Avoid silly voice messages on your voice-mail and call tones.
  38. Avoid offensive ring-tones.
  39. Avoid cutesy e-mail addresses
  40. Avoid e-mail addresses that can be misleading.
  41. Don’t type an e-mail in capital letters, it is offensive, and can be read as if you are angry.
  42. Don’t be labeled as an ungreatful receiver-send thank you notes. (Even after an interview)
  43. Don’t hand deleiver wedding invitations
  44. Don’t send out wedding invitations without a stamp on the RSVP card.
  45. If you don’t RVSP, don’t go!
  46. The term RSVP comes from the French expression "répondez s'il vous plaît", meaning "please respond". If RSVP is written on an invitation it means the invited guest must tell the host whether or not they plan to attend the party. It does not mean to respond only if you're coming, and it does not mean respond only if you're not coming (the expression "regrets only" is reserved for that instance). It means the host needs a definite head count for the planned event, and needs it by the date specified on the invitation.
  47. Those who enter a room are responsible to speak first.
  48. Chivalry is not dead! Men always walk on the outside of a lady, and open the door for women.
  49. Don’t get caught doing the air dance when putting on your coat.
  50. Never leave the tag on the sleeve of a coat ,suit jacket or dress.

Gilly’s CharmSchool

Sandra Brown- Owner-Instructor

586-260-9346