Interview Dining Etiquette Second Helpings Dining Etiquette University Etiquette Business Dining

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The hostess (or the host) is to be allowed to decide if seconds at table are to be offered.*

1. In a private home, seconds are offered only of the main dish.

2. After accepting an offer of seconds, when carving is done at the table, pass your plate with the used flatware in the finished position placed atop it, to the host or the original server.

3. Seconds can be served Family style: the serving dish and implements may be passed to the person who accepted an offer of a dish.

4. A hostess is to eat slowly enough to keep company with any person eating seconds. She can elect to take a second of the main course item to do this.

5. In a commercial dining room, seconds of rolls, (sliced bread,) or butter can be accomplished by exchanging an empty container with a filled one.

6. Water is offered at least once after the service of the main course.

7. In social life, avoid asking for and/or accepting seconds where possible. At formal meals (and public dinners) seconds are not properly offered (nor asked for.)Avoid eating seconds in any home not your own. (Eating is not to be the reason for the meeting.) Refuse seconds albeit politely, even when the hostess insists. You may regret this at first and then be pleasantly surprised by a great dessert.

Note: “Seconds” can be leftovers for meals for school, work, or dinner for tomorrow. They may be a meal for staff tonight. – Besides, you already followed rule #1 and ate, “a little something before leaving home.”