INDIAN TABLE MANNERS

BY SANZIDA PARVIN AND SONALI MONDAL

We never get a second chance to make a first impression.

Table Manners play an important part in making a favorable impression.

Your manners speaks volumes about you

When you arrive at the table:

• Do not place any bags, cell phones on the table.• When everybody is seated, gently unfold the napkin and place it on

your lap.• Wait for everyone to arrive before beginning with the meal.

NAPKINS:• The meal begins when the host unfolds his napkin.• Do not use the napkin while sneezing or while coughing.• The napkin rests on the lap until the end of the meal.

Formal Table Setting

During the meal:• Any food dish to the left is yours and any glass to the right is yours.• When using the fork and knife to cut your food, hold the knife in the

right hand and the fork in the left hand.

KEEP YOUR ELBOWS OFF THE TABLE

Indian Etiquitte:• In India very few people have wine. Instead they have lassi (a drink made up of

milk) or chaanch (a digestive tasty juice).• Nowadays, most people use glass plates, but traditionally metal thalis are used. In

South India banana leaves are used to serve.• In modern times, people have meals on dining tables but some still prefer having

meals by sitting on floors.

End of the meal:• Remain seated until all have finished.• Host will indicate the meal is over and can leave the table.• Do not push away your plate from you or stack it.• Rest your fork, tines up and knife blade in with the hands at five

o’clock and the tips pointing to ten o’clock.

DO NOT KEEP SPOON IN THE BOWL

Thank You!