Sitting Down to Dinner

• Before one can be schooled in proper etiquette, once must be familiar with formal place settings. With silverware, it's always best to work from the outside in. The small fork is for salad. If there is a small fork and spoon placed above the place setting, it is for dessert. The bread plate is always on the left. The larger wine glass is for red; the smaller is for white. The plate placed at the setting when seated is a charger and will likely be whisked away by the service staff upon seating. Remember to keep all personal items such as keys or cell phones off of the table.
  
  

When the Food is Served

• Once the food is placed on the table, it is important to remember a set of food rules. If an item such as the bread basket is being passed and stops at you, do not take from it. Wait until it's being passed directly to you. Think of the salt and pepper as "married"; they should never be separated when passed. Even if someone just asks for the salt, pass the pepper as well. Do not, however, salt, pepper, or otherwise dress food before it has been tasted. If food is hot, do not blow on it. Wait until it cools off. Once utensils are used, they should not be placed back on the table. Rest them on a plate between bites. Never lick a utensil, no matter how tempting.
  
  

Extras

• At a dinner with a boss, significant other's parents, or someone else important who will likely be judging you and have a say in your future? Don't order a drink you'd order at a dive bar. If you feel embarrassed to say, "I'll have a screwdriver" in front of your in-laws, there's a reason. Stick to wine and classic cocktails. Sushi has become popular fare and has its own culture and set of rules. Much sushi comes with sauce or garnishes already applied. It is meant to be eaten as is; to eat it otherwise would be insulting to the chef. If wasabi is desired, dab it directly on fish rather than mixing it in with soy sauce. When chopsticks are not in use, place them across the soy sauce dish.