Bad Table Etiquette We Didn’t Realize We Had

1. Eating Before Everyone Has Been Served

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We understand that you're starving and when your plate of food arrives first, before any of your dining guests, you can't wait to tuck in.  Stop there!  It's really bad manners to start eating until everyone else has received their order.  Even if they tell you to start and not wait for them, refrain from stabbing into those fries.  You might be concerned your food is going to go cold but hold fire and abide by the correct etiquette.

2. Eating With Your Hands

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There are confusing rules and awkward mistakes regarding what you can and cannot eat with your hands.  As a general rule, it's best to use a knife and fork to be on the safe side.  There are a few definite exceptions to this rule and they are the obvious ones - sandwiches, tacos, wraps and corn on the cobs.  French fries can be eaten with or without cutlery.

3. Leaving Your Napkin On The Table

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Napkins are such a simple item but their usage never crops up in conversations.  If it did, it would be a pretty boring chat.  That's why you might not understand the etiquette regarding these square cotton cloths.  You should always put your napkin on your lap as soon as you are seated and if you need to leave the table, you should place it on your chair until you return.  At no time should it be left on the table.

4. Licking Your Fingers

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When you are enjoying your food so much that you don't want to waste even a morsel of the seasoning, you might be tempted to lick your fingers.  If you are ever going to do that, make sure it is in private and not when you are in a public place.  You have to resist the temptation to lick that barbecue sauce off your fingers, no matter how tasty.  Use the napkin provided.  That's why it's there!

5. Not Knowing Which Is Your Bread Or Water Glass

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It's easy to be confused in a formal dining situation.  You'll see lots of cutlery, plates and glasses at your place setting when there are all sorts of knives, forks, plates and glasses at your place setting.  Here's a great hack for understanding which bread roll and drinking glass is meant for you.  There's a "b" and "d" trick for a quick prompt.  Make "OK" signs with both hands. You can then remember the bread on the left is yours (the "b") as is the drinking glass on the right (the "d").

6. Placing Your Elbows On The Table

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Your elbows should never be resting on the table and there's a practical reason why.  If you are leaning forward with your arms on the table you will be in a slouching position and therefore blocking conversation from flowing around you.  Putting elbows on the table does annoy other guests, even if you don't realise it is rude to carry out this behaviour.

7. Talking With Your Mouth Full

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We are all taught from a young age not to talk with our mouths full and this is something that we should never forget.  If someone asks you something and you are desperate to answer, take the time to swallow your food and then reply.  If you don't, you run the risk of showering them with crumbs and that would be highly embarrassing for both of you.

8. Not Lifting Your Glass

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Let's get one thing clear.  No drinking glass or wine glass is so heavy that it's impossible for you to pick it up from the table.  Then don't go against etiquette and lean across the table and sip your drink from a straw, without picking up the glass from the table.  You don't need us to tell you to lift it up and put it to your lips.  You'll be surprised how many people don't actually do it properly.

9. Ordering Seafood Without Knowing How To Eat It

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If you don't eat seafood often and you're not familiar in knowing how to crack a lobster open, then you shouldn't order this.  If you are served it, watch what others around you are doing or ask one of the guests at your table how to get the delicious flesh out.  If you try and go right in there without a clue, you run the risk of a crab's leg flying over to the next table.

10. Seasoning Food Before Tasting

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Unless you have been in the kitchen when the host or chef is making a meal, you will have no idea if they have seasoned the food and if so, how much have they added.  It's really impolite to assume that it's lacking salt so don't reach straight for the condiments before you taste the food.  If you go right in there and add seasoning,  you may over-salt it and ruin the taste.  You may also be insulting the host.

11. Slurping Soup

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Nothing beats a delicious, hearty bowl of soup and it can be difficult to consume it politely.  Whatever you do, don't slurp!  If the soup is very hot, blow on one spoonful before putting it in your mouth.  Don't blow on the whole bowl!  Another thing - don't gulp the liquid down.  Swallow silently.  When you reach the bottom of the soup bowl, tilt it away from you and move your spoon to the lower edge and you'll get the last drop.

12. Passing Food In The Wrong Direction

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Dishes always gets passed to the right so don't start messing up the system and start passing the dish you are holding to the left.  It will throw everything and everyone into a muddle.  This is a life skill that is very useful to know.  There is a good reason for passing dishes to the right as, when several dishes are being passed around at the same, they can all go the same way and nobody will miss out on the food they want.

13. Passing Condiments Separately

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If somebody at your table asks you to pass them the salt, be sure to pass the, the pepper too. These two condiments are meant to be together, like a loved up couple and they don't ever want to be separated.  Seriously, this ensures everyone has access to salt and pepper without having to ask separately for the other shaker.  Makes sense, doesn't it?

14. Putting Personal Belongings On The Table

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Everyone these days travels with lots of bits and bobs such as their purse, keys and cell phone.  The rule regarding putting any or all of these items on the dinner table is - DON'T DO IT!  Doing so can make the other diners feel unimportant, especially if you keep checking your phone during the meal.  Tuck your belongings away under your chair or on your lap.

15.  Knowing When To Be Quiet

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Engaging in conversation is a bit of an art form when it's with someone you don't know very well.  At a dinner party it's important to ask the diners questions and not talk about yourself and bore them stupid.  Trying to show off and raising your voice will not go down well and will leave the guests with indigestion!   Being a good listener speaks volumes and people will warm to you more easily.

16. Talking With Cutlery In Your Hand

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Did you know it's impolite to speak at the dinner table when you have cutlery in your hands?  It does seem pointless as you are only going to pick up your knife and fork again to re-commence eating but we are assured this is the correct etiquette.  We are told that if you're getting a bit animated in conversation when holding that fork, it could look like you are about to stab your companion!

17. Using Your Cell Phone At The Table

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This is an absolute no-no!  We are all too quick in telling our kids to put their cell phones away at the table (and that always causes arguments) but we don't follow those instructions ourselves.  If you are desperate to respond to an email or make an important call, or receive one, excuse yourself and step outside.  Also, never be longer than two or three minutes.

18. Reaching Over For Something

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As you are filling your dinner plate with delicious food from the dishes on the table, do not get off your chair to lean over and stretch for that roast chicken.  The other guests won't be happy if you are dangling your arms over their plates and knocking the centre piece over in the process.  Wait 'till there is a pause in the conversation and then ask someone politely to pass you what you are wanting.

19. Using A Utensil You Have Already Dropped

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It's easily done - accidentally nudging your cutlery and dropping your fork on the floor.  The five second rule, picking it up within that time and re-using it, does not apply and your dinner guests will be quietly looking down their nose at you if you do this. You should, of course, pick it up but leave it on the table and ask for a replacement.  If you are in a restaurant, you can ask the waiter to take the dirty one away.

20. Using The Wrong Cutlery

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It's not a good feeling when you sit down at the dinner table at a restaurant or someone else's home and you see more than one knife and fork at your place setting.  Panic can set in as you aren't sure which ones to use and you don't want to be judged by the other diners.  You are surrounded by knives, forks and spoons of different sizes.  The rule is simple. Start with the smallest knife and fork and work your way from the outside to the inside.

21. Eating Food Too Quickly

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When your dinner arrives, even if you are absolutely starving, do not tuck in as if you haven't eaten for a week.  Besides giving you indigestion, these bad manners will not give a good impression to the others.  If you find you are already seeing the pattern on the bottom of the plate, purposely slow down and wait until everyone else has caught up with you.

22. Arranging Cutlery Wrongly When Meal Is Finished

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This is a confusing one for many - how do you place your cutlery on your plate when you have finished eating?  You need to know this if you are one of those people that sometimes cannot finish the whole meal and the waiter or host won't be sure if you are still eating or not.  Rule of thumb is to place the utensils straight down the middle of the plate.  If you want to compliment the chef, display the tips of the cutlery at 12 o'clock and 3 o'clock (as shown in our image).

23. Asking For Something That's Not On The Table

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It's not a good idea to make an additional request, once your dinner arrives, unless the host specifically asks if you require, for example, any other sauces.  The worst thing is if everyone is sat down, including the host and a request is made.  The host then has to get up and go to the kitchen again.  It can be quite insulting, when a beautiful steak arrives on your plate and you ask for ketchup.  This can be deemed thoughtless and a way of masking the flavor of the meat.

24. Saying That The Food Is Surprisingly Good

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In the times we are now living, we have to think before we speak, in case we mistakenly insult someone.  For example, saying someone looks great after they've lost weight can be a backhanded compliment.  The same goes for telling the cook that their food is surprisingly good.  Are you saying their culinary skills in the kitchen are not usually that good?

25. Leaving Food On The Plate

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There's nothing wrong in leaving a few mouthfuls of food on your plate when you are so full up that you can't eat another morsel.  However, leaving a third or more of the meal is insulting.  The host will be thinking you didn't like it and they could end up feeling self conscious.  If you are a fussy eater, its best to warn the host when you are first invited, so they know what or what not to serve you.

26. Leaving The Table Without Offering To Help Clear Up

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Planning dinner parties, although enjoyable, can be time consuming.  Shopping for food, preparing and then serving it is quite a job, especially if there are a number of hungry mouths to feed.  When it comes to clearing up, that's a task in itself. Guests should always offer to help remove the dirty dishes and transport them back to the kitchen.  Even when the host declines your offer, you should still help in some capacity.

27. Sneezing Into A Cloth Napkin

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Sneezing, or coughing for that matter,  into your cloth napkin, is totally unacceptable and displays very poor etiquette.  If in a restaurant and you do this, the server has to handle the napkin so you are spreading your germs to them.  They run the risk then of getting ill themselves.  Cough or sneeze into a paper tissue and throw it away or use your arm if you don't have time to do this.

28. Clinking Glasses For A Toast

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It's actually bad manners to clink glasses when making a toast.  It could end up being very messy and dangerous!  When clinking, the glasses, if fine, could break and shatter.  You should just hold your glass up in front of you for the toast and look the person in the eyes, before saying "cheers" or whatever your thing is.  Toasting then becomes safer but with the same heartfelt meaning.

29. Toasting With Water Or An Empty Glass

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The point of toasting is to honor someone or something, so what you put in your glass for the toast is very important.  Historically, water is used to toast the dead so be mindful of this.  If you cannot have alcohol or you are tee total, then choose a drink which resembles wine, champagne or whatever everyone else is drinking.  Toasting with an empty glass is insulting.

30. Bringing Up Awkward Conversations

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Some people think that polite conversation is going to be boring.  Others enjoy the drama of "rattling someone's cage."  The latter is not the kind of excitement that should be had at the diner table.  Neither should awkward conversations.  Even if you feel you need to get something off your chest, do it privately or the other guests will not know where to put themselves!

31. Arriving Later Than You Agreed

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It can be difficult to arrange eating out for a big group, but once you've all agreed on a time, that should be that. Unless there's something you really can't help (like traffic, even though you set off early) you shouldn't be rocking up later than you all agreed, because everyone's waiting for you - and they're hungry!

32. Rearranging The Name Cards

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If you're at a dinner party where there are name cards, it's all been positioned that way for a reason. We understand why you might think of just swapping two around on the same table because you want to be next to your bestie, but it's just bad manners! Don't do it.

33. Moving/Doing Anything Before The Host Arrives

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It's proper etiquette to let the host of a dinner party, or a meal out, to 'run the show'. That means you should wait for them to arrive at the table before anything commences. So if you're already taking a drink or breaking off some bread before they've properly sat down, that's bad manners!

34. Taking Your Napkin Off The Table Too Early

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The same actually applies for when you move or start using your napkin. We've all been there when we unravel it as soon as we've sat down and lay it on our lap, just so it's ready, but it's bad etiquette. Touching the napkin means it's time to eat, so if the food hasn't even arrived yet, don't do it!

35. Tucking Your Napkin In Your Shirt Like A Bib

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Most of us would agree this is the logical thing to do when you have very messy food - and for some reason thought wearing a white shirt was a good idea - but it's bad etiquette, too. This might be acceptable to a very laid back dinner (like a friend's BBQ) but not in a restaurant/formal setting.

36. Drinking Before All The Glasses Have Been Filled

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If you're sitting down with a table of 10 people and yours is the first glass to be filled, you might have taken a sip before the 10th person has their own glass filled - but nope! You should wait until every single person's glass at the table has been filled before you take a swig.

37. Turning Your Empty Glass Upside Down

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We don't mean after you've finished drinking, but if you have a glass laid on the table that you're not going to be using - like a wine glass when you don't drink wine - you might have turned it upside down so the servers know not to fill it. Actually, this is bad etiquette - you should instead put your hand over the top of the glass when they come over if you don't want it filled!

38. Waiting Too Long To Start Eating When You're The Host

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As mentioned before, the host is sort of the leader when it comes to dinner proceedings, so if everyone else has great table etiquette, they're going to be waiting for you to start. So if you're dawdling and taking ages to start eating or drinking, your guests are going to be waiting.

39. Taking Huge Bites

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We know how some foods just give off a vibe of 'you have to take a huge bite or nothing at all' like burgers or pizzas, but taking anything but a small bite is bad etiquette. You should be taking regular, small bites which are easy to chew instead of overdoing it and going in for a big one!

40. Buttering Your Bread As One Whole Piece

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This might sound silly, as most of us when buttering our bread or toast spread the butter over the top of the whole thing - but when you're out for dinner, this is actually bad etiquette. You should instead break off a small piece from the whole, and butter that small piece.

41. Cutting Up Your Food With Wide Elbows

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We know certain foods are particularly tough to cut, where you have to feel like you have to put your whole back into it, but elbows should always stay against your body when you're cutting with cutlery. They should never impede on the personal space of the diners either side of you!

42. Moving Your Spoon Towards You In The Soup Bowl

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Many people don't know this, but when you're scooping up your soup to eat, you pull the spoon towards you, right? Well, this is bad etiquette, too - you're supposed to push the spoon away from you in the bowl when scooping so that if there are any drips, they'll be on the far side towards the bowl, rather on the inside towards whatever blouse you have on.

43. Doing Too Many Things At Once

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When you're enjoying good food and good company, there's so much going on! But you shouldn't let that overwhelm you. Good etiquette is doing one thing at once - such as taking a drink, reaching for something, or taking a bite. Bad etiquette is trying to multi-task, like drinking while talking, while also trying to spoon up some soup!

44. Drinking Before You've Swallowed That Bite

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This can be just as bad as talking with your mouth full. You should always wait until you've fully chewed a bite and swallowed before you reach for the glass to wash it down! There's no rush, so you shouldn't be chugging down a big swig of wine with half a mouthful of food.

45. Not Being Prepared For 'Explosive' Foods

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Now we don't mean what's going to happen in the bathroom the day after you've had a ghost pepper, we mean the food that rather literally 'explodes' on the plate - and cherry tomatoes, we're looking at you! Any food that could release any spurts of juice or anything else you need to be careful with, because it could go onto the table, onto you or - worse - the person next to you!

46. Coughing Into Your Right Hand

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So you might have been thinking you have the best manners because you always cover your cough - or, indeed, sneeze! - with your right hand at dinner. Wrong! You're supposed to leave your right hand free (and clean) to shake the other attendees' hands when leaving. So you should cough into your left.

47. Not Paying The Bill If You're The Inviter

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So the standard good etiquette is for the person who invited everyone out for a meal to foot the bill. Obviously amongst friends it's entirely up to your how you want to split the bill, but if we're talking about general etiquette rules here, the inviter pays for everyone.

48. Not Being Discreet If You Want To Pay The Whole Bill

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If, for some reason, as a guest you want to pay the whole bill instead, or maybe you're out with friends and said you'd split the bill but you'd rather cover it, it's also bad etiquette to declare that to the table with the server next to you. Instead, be discreet, and say you're going to the bathroom but go and pay for the whole bill instead.

49. The Inviter Should Be The Last To Order

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If you're the one who has invited everyone out to eat, then you should also wait until last to place your own order, as this is just good manners. If you're taking others out for a treat, you don't then want to stream roll in with your huge order before anyone else has said anything.

50. Not Tipping Enough

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And, as we know, tipping is one of the most important etiquettes you can do when eating out. You need to know ahead of time how much to tip - and make sure you do just that when paying the bill. A good rule of thumb is 20% but it entirely depends on whether you thought the service was worth more than that!

51. Taking more than your share

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It may be delicious, you may be super hungry, but sadly none of that matters when you're sat at a dinner setting. Put aside your own feelings and take what is your share. Taking more will look greedy and people around you may resent it. It's also just  seriously bad table etiquette.

52. Taking the last piece without offering!

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There's always one person who helps themselves to the last piece without even offering it around, and nobody appreciates it. It's bad manners and can be seen as really rude. Everybody is just as entitled to the last piece, and it's polite to offer it first.

53. Blowing your nose in the napkin

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Blowing your nose in the napkin during a meal might not be the most refined choice. It's generally better to excuse yourself and handle that situation more discreetly, like in the restroom. It's more courteous and it's much more pleasant for the person clearing up.

54. Using a toothpick at the table

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Picking out parts of food that are stuck in your teeth after dinner is never a smart choice at the dinner table. It's one of the worst table etiquette moves you can make. Where a toothpick is concerned, discretion is key, so excuse yourself and go to the restroom first.

55. Leaving sauce all around your mouth

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Leaving sauce all around your mouth can happen to the best of us, but it's generally a good idea to be aware of it and discreetly clean up. If you notice you've got a bit of a saucy situation going on, it's courteous to excuse yourself briefly and use a napkin to clean up.

56. Making remarks like 'the food is going cold', to hurry the host

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Making remarks like "the food is going cold" to hurry the host is generally considered impolite and it can be perceived as insensitive or demanding. Especially, when this person is taking the time and effort to cook you a meal. The general rule of table etiquette is to be gracious, or to stay quiet.

57. Interrupting people whilst talking

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Another rule of table etiquette is to be able to carry polite conversation. Conversation inherently allows multiple people to have their say, so don't interrupt someone. It's bad etiquette and downright rude and it could cause an awkward atmosphere at the dinner table.

58. Tapping your glass with cutlery to make a speech

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Tapping your glass with cutlery to make a speech is a common practice at the table. But, it's something the majority of us are actually wrong in thinking it's acceptable. According to formal table etiquette, the glass should never be tapped by cutlery, clean or otherwise.

59. Taking a bathroom break during the meal

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This etiquette rule, of course, doesn't apply if you have real need, or if you have a medical reason! If you're dining in a formal setting or at someone's home, it's courteous to excuse yourself from the table and let your dining companions know you'll be back shortly.

60. Helping yourself to seconds whilst people are still eating their firsts

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Helping yourself to seconds while others are still on their firsts can be perceived as slightly inconsiderate. You're taking your second lot of food whilst other people are just starting. It could come across as greedy and impolite. Have patience before you dove into the next plateful.

61. Touching or playing with your hair whilst eating

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Hair and food is NOT a good combination. If you need to adjust your hair or deal with an itch, it's better to excuse yourself from the table and take care of it in a more private setting, like a restroom. This way, you avoid making others uncomfortable and uphold a level of hygiene and courtesy.

62. Tapping your foot at the table

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Foot tapping screams impatience, which is not how you want to come across to your host, or to those around you. If you find yourself tapping your foot out of habit, making a conscious effort to stop or redirecting that energy in a less noticeable way.

63. Allowing food to fall from your mouth

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Sometimes it does accidentally happen, but it's important to try your best to try your best not to enable food to fall back out of your mouth. It's not a great look, especially considering you're sat next to many other people who are also eating their meals.

64. Licking your knife

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This is the kind of behaviour that can only be done alone, behind closed doors in the comfort of your own home. Even then it can be dangerous! While it might be tempting to get every last bit of something delicious, using the knife to do so is not the most refined approach.

65. Chewing with your mouth open

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Chewing with your mouth open being classed as bad etiquette is something so glaringly obvious you'd think it needn't be said. But, that doesn't seem to be the case. The sound of somebody chewing loudly with their mouth open can put everybody else right off their food.

66. Putting anything on the dish that wasn't intended by the chef

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Chefs carefully design dishes, taking into account flavors, textures, and presentation to create a specific dining experience. Adding condiments, sauces, or extra seasonings without tasting the dish first can be interpreted as a lack of appreciation for the chef's craftsmanship.

67. Finishing long before anybody else

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While the pace at which individuals eat can vary, significantly finishing your meal long before others might make them feel rushed or self-conscious about their own dining speed. Instead, take small bites, engage in conversation, and be mindful of the overall experience.

68. Blowing on your food

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Unless you're a child, this is also considered bad table etiquette as essentially you're blowing air (and yes, spit particles) all over your food and likely the person's plate next to you too. If it's hot, just patiently wait until it is cool enough for you to eat.

69. Criticizing the cooking

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Criticizing the cooking, especially when someone has put effort into preparing a meal, is considered extremely impolite. Even if you have specific preferences or find something not to your taste, expressing your feedback in a constructive and tactful manner is key.

70. Chewing loudly

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Chewing loudly is everybody's pet peeve, so it's certainly not considered good table etiquette. Your behaviour shouldn't be putting the person next to you off their food. So, keeping the chewing volume at a modest level is essential to maintain good etiquette!

71. Dipping in a sauce, taking a bite, and then dipping again

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Dipping your food into a shared sauce, taking a bite, and then going in for another dip might seem harmless, but it's generally considered a bit of a dining faux pas. You see, it's often referred to as "double-dipping," and it's not just about dipping etiquette; it's about hygiene and consideration for others.

72. Or dipping in one sauce and immediately the next

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It's a similar situation here. Nobody wants a sauce to contaminated because you mixed the mayo with the ketchup. Not only does it look completely messy and unappetizing, it's also a lack of consideration as you are mixing sauces together that some people may not even like.

73. Overloading your plate

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When serving yourself, it's generally good etiquette to take a reasonable portion of each dish for yourself to ensure there's enough to go round for everyone at the table. And, overloading can mean that you waste food, which is impolite to the person who has prepared the meal.

74. Having seconds without being offered

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Having seconds without being offered can be considered impolite in certain situations, as it might be seen as presumptive or not respecting the serving order. In formal or traditional settings, it's often customary for the host or the designated server to offer seconds before guests help themselves.

75. Taking calls at the table

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The people around you are there to share a meal and some quality time, and a ringing phone can throw off the atmosphere. To keep things smooth and enjoyable for everyone, it's usually best to step away from the table if you need to take a call. It's a small courtesy that goes a long way in maintaining a good dining atmosphere.

76. Slouching in your chair

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When we slouch, it can give off a casual or disinterested vibe, which might not be the message we want to convey. In more formal or social settings it's especially considered to be bad etiquette. Sitting with good posture shows a respect and attentiveness for those around you.

77. Not saying 'please' and 'thank you'

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This is another non-negotiable! Not saying "please" and "thank you" might seem like a small thing, but it can have a big impact on the overall tone of a conversation or interaction. These simple expressions of politeness go a long way in showing respect and consideration for others.

78. Having your phone on loud

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Having your phone on loud at the dinner table during a meal is considered poor etiquette, unless there's a real need to do so! The sound of loud ringtones and constant notifications completely disrupts the atmosphere of the experience, distracting everyone around you.

79. Forgetting to compliment the chef or the host

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It really doesn't matter whether you were impressed by the host or not, no matter how the dinner party went you should always compliment and be gracious toward the host. It's just simple table etiquette. Tell them the food was delicious and they were a brilliant host!

80. Gossiping at the dinner table

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Talking about gossip isn't the kind of suitable topic for the table. It's not the right time to pry about someone's pending divorce or the fact that someone had too many drinks at the weekend. To have good etiquette, steer the conversation away from gossip and onto more appropriate subjects.

81. Angling your chair away from someone next to you

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Consider how you would feel if someone turned their chair away from you at the dinner table. You'd feel excluded and disrespected, which is exactly why it is considered bad table etiquette. At a dinner setting you have to be aware of the feelings of those around you.

82. Not passing dishes to your neighbors

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It's important to be attentive to the needs of those around you. When a dish is within your reach and someone requests it or it seems like others haven't had a chance to serve themselves, it's courteous to pass it along. They'll also then pay you the same courtesy.

83. Talking about bodily functions at the table

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Talking about bodily functions at the table is generally considered inappropriate in most social settings. It's a topic that can make people feel super uncomfortable, and it's definitely not the kind of discussion you want to have whilst your digging into a meal!

84. Talking or laughing too loudly

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There's a time and a place for laughing and joking loudly, and the dinner table is not one of them. It's considered to be rude and bad etiquette during dinner!  It's about being mindful of your surroundings and recognizing when a lower volume is more appropriate.

85. Ignoring people's dietary needs

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When hosting a meal or attending a dinner, it's important to be aware of and accommodate any dietary restrictions or preferences that your guests may have. Whether it's due to allergies, religious beliefs, or ethical choices, respecting these needs is essential.

86. Getting food all over the table while you eat

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Getting food all over the table while you eat can be seen as a lack of consideration for the dining space and may be perceived as messy or inconsiderate to those around you. If accidents do happen, it's polite to clean up after yourself and show consideration for your host.

87. Comparing your food to other meals

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As the cook or the host, hearing your guests comparing your meal can be insulting. You are unintentionally diminishing the effort that went into preparing the current meal or expressing dissatisfaction which seems super unappreciative to the person who prepared it.

88. Sniffing the food

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If you're unsure about the scent of the food, or it's so delicious you want to soak it all in, it's better to discreetly take a gentle sniff without drawing attention to yourself. Otherwise, it might make others at the table uncomfortable and the chef could assume you are questioning the scent.

89. Using inappropriate language

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Using inappropriate language at the dinner table might leave a bad taste for everyone, for some people it could be seen as super offensive. Keeping the conversation respectful and steering clear of offensive language is the correct dinner table etiquette.

90. Trying other people's food without asking

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Trying other people's food without asking can be considered to be overstepping personal boundaries. Before taking a bite of someone else's food, it's courteous to ask for permission. A simple, "Do you mind if I try a bit of that?" shows respect, rather than helping yourself uninvited.

91. Serving yourself food first before others

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Serving yourself comes across as though you are prioritizing your needs over the rest of the table's needs. In many cultures, there is an expectation that the host or designated server should start the serving process, and others follow in an orderly manner.

92. Ignoring utensil placement and putting them anywhere

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Ignoring utensil placement and putting them anywhere on the table can be perceived as a breach of table etiquette, especially in formal or fine dining settings. Proper utensil placement often follows a set pattern and it's meant to keep the table looking visually appealing!

93. Standing up to grab food

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If you find yourself needing something from a communal dish, it's better to politely ask someone to pass it to you, or wait for a convenient moment to excuse yourself and retrieve it. In a more casual setting, such as a family dinner or a picnic, standing up is more acceptable.

94. Resting your arm on the back of a chair

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While it might exude a casual and relaxed demeanor, it can be perceived as too informal or even disrespectful in certain settings. In formal dining environments, there's often an expectation of maintaining a more upright and attentive posture to convey respect for the occasion and those present.

95. Not offering a toast!

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Offering a toast is a way to express gratitude, celebrate achievements, or simply bring positive energy to the table. It helps set a positive and inclusive tone for the meal, allowing everyone to feel engaged and connected. It doesn't have to be elaborate; a sincere and brief expression goes a long way!

96. Correcting somebody else's manners

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Even if you think that somebody else is acting inappropriately at the table, unless it's your child, it's also bad etiquette to point it out. It can really bring down the atmosphere and create tension which is the last thing you want when you're sat down for a meal.

97. Dominating the conversation

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Dominating the conversation during a meal is often considered poor table etiquette. Sharing a meal is not just about the food; it's also an opportunity for social interaction and connection. When one person dominates the conversation, it can make others feel bulldozed or forgotten.

98. Being the only one to order dessert/ starters at a restaurant

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We've all been sat at a restaurant at some point whilst only one person on the table ordered dessert. You then have to sit there (seemingly) patiently and politely while they finish every last bite. But, it's inconsiderate on everyone else present and it's seriously bad table etiquette!

99. Gulping drinks

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The sound of someone gulping a drink is not something that should be heard at a table setting. It's not just about the noise (which is unpleasant), it's also about the pace and manner in which you're consuming your beverage. Gulping may give the impression that you're in a rush.

100. Tilting in your chair

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Not only is this downright dangerous if you fall backwards, it's also bad table etiquette. Swinging back on your own (or even worse, someone else's chair) can give off an impression of carelessness, and it may disrupt the overall atmosphere of the meal.