The French art of the Table ! the 10 commandments to be an ideal guest

Tonight, you are invited to a coworker. Of course you know how to be a good guest, but do you know all the rules of good manners and decorum to behave in society? Here are the 10 commandments to be sure not to make blunders.

Behave in your host and navigate in society by avoiding false notes, it's not complicated! Subject to compliance with certain rules of etiquette, you will be invited once the most appreciated.

1. Respect the quarter of an hour of politeness

If punctuality is of use in all situations of daily life, on the contrary, it is good practice when you are invited to someone arrived with some delay. Attention, not an hour! But ten minutes or a quarter of an hour is a good margin, not to arrive too early. In case you would be late, it is obviously necessary to prevent his guests by phone for the inconvenience.

2. Do not arrive empty-handed

The traditional bouquet of flowers for the hostess is always appreciated, but you can also try out a bit, with chocolates, macarons, or a bottle of whiskey for example. Do not bring a dessert, which would implicitly mean that the hostess would not have thought of, or a bottle of wine because it has probably already planned their own bottles.

The must: think to send a bunch of old, with a word of thanks for the invitation, which avoids cluttering the hostess the day J. You can also send a bouquet the day, choosing flowers in accordance with its interior decoration.

3. Appear in the forms

The moment you arrive, greet all the guests well and introduce yourself. It is customary for men to shake hands while men and women who know are generally more kiss. With regard to the sensitive issue of tu and vous, everything is a matter of circumstances. The use of "vous" induces a mark of respect while tu is more intimate and warm. In general, when you meet someone for the first time, it is preferable to use "vous", just like when you talk to older people, or a higher status.

4. Avoid sensitive subjects

It is well select his topics of conversation, and to avoid some. Firstly, some topics too controversial, that might create tensions: politics, religion, morality or money. Also avoid criticizing some trades iconic, lawyers, doctors and others. Guests could make out and feel attacked. Subjects under appreciated and not too risky are family, cultural outings or professional life.

5. Learning to listen

Being talkative and sociable, talk with all the guests it is. But it is very bad taste to monopolize the conversation or talk too much about themselves. Let your partner, do not contradict too tightly, and do not last too long exchange.

6. Comply with the protocol

You do not start to eat or drink before the hostess invited us there, and we do not sit before everyone at the risk of sounding rude.

7. While standing at the table

It should stand straight, do not put your elbows on the table, this is the worst effect. We do not put a towel around his neck, except for seafood dishes, but it unfolds on her knees. Politeness and foremost: it is of course obvious that the insults are not permitted and the formulas thanks preferred. Smile and good humor are better than anger and bitterness!

8. Do not stuff yourself

We do not talk with your mouth full, we do not throw the bread before the entrance, and above all, it pours himself not 15 times, if the hostess offers you refill, refuse and accept when you proposed again.

9. Room with finesse

Few missteps are to be avoided at dinner:

- It does not blow on the soup too hot.

- We do not cut salad with a knife or an omelette or pastas.

- The potatoes should not be crushed, but separated with a fork.

- The pieces of meat or vegetables are pushed onto the fork with a piece of bread, and not with the knife.

- We do not sauce on his plate.

- We do not talk with your mouth full and you eat with your mouth closed.

- Do not cut bread with a knife, broke it.

- At the end of a dish is placed in its covered plate parallel and not cross.

- We do not slice the cheese or foie gras on bread.

- In case of bones in the fish, we do not take finger but carefully placed on his fork before putting it on the edge of the plate: a little tricky but it is a matter of training.

- The formulas like "bon appétit", "your wishes" or "health" should be avoided.

10. Thank in forms

Upon leaving, thank your guests of course, and in case you are in a small group, greet other guests. If it is a large reception, do not. The next day, it is also popular to call or send so-called "letter of the castle," that is to say a small thank you message.

With its commandments of good manners to the French, here you are safe at all times to ensure in dinner parties. But these rules are of course to be qualified according to the invitation, among close friends or family, decorum and etiquette are no longer appropriate. Usability outweighs the savoir vivre, then play it casual!