Fort Myers Beach Dining

Proper Dining Manners

All of us at one time have had bad manners in one instance or another. However, we usually strive to keep ourselves in check and follow the rules of etiquette, if we know them of course. With that said, here is a list that might get you closer to the appropriate conduct in a dining setting.

Rules of Etiquette:

1. Rule #1 is to use common sense. If somehow you feel something is not appropriate, it probably isn’t.
2. Get there a bit early. About 10 minutes early should be enough.
3. Know what types of utensils are used for what courses…salad fork, dinner fork etc.
4. Unfold and place your napkin on your lap. Don’t leave it on the table.
5. A nice thought before dinner isn’t absolutely necessary, but it will warm the host to know they pleased you with their table presence.
6. Food is served from the left. Dishes are removed from the right.
7. Salt and pepper or condiments that have a matching pair should be passed together. This keeps other guests from having to ask and crossing hands over the table.
8. All courses for dinner are passed from left to the right.
9. When placing food on your plate, put down the food moving away from you.
10. Be patient with the passing of any food items. Do not grab at anything.
11. Transfer any toppings such as butter to your plate before spreading them over your food.
12. Always try everything the host has prepared with the exception of meat if you are a vegetarian.
13. Wait for your food to cool before you try it, never fan your food or blow into it.
14. Never speak with food in your mouth, and never speak out of turn unless there is silence. Chew food with your mouth closed.
15. When eating meat, always cut the meat and put down the knife before placing it in your mouth or simply cut the whole piece of meat up first.
16. Never put both arms on the table and keep your left hand in your lap provided you are not left handed, is so... do the opposite.
17. Never clean any part of your body at the dinner table such as fingernails, nose, teeth.
18. No cell phones.
19. At the end of dinner leave your plate in front of you and do not put your napkin on your plate. Fold your napkin neatly when finished, it doesn’t have to be folded exactly like the host folded it, however you should fold it.

Anthony's On the Gulf

239-463-6139

3040 Estero Blvd.
Fort Myers Beach, FL 33932

Fish Monger

239-765-5544

19030 San Carlos Blvd.
Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931

Parrot Key Caribbean Grill

239-463-3257

Salty Sam's Marina
2500 Main St.
Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931