Travel
Europeans are known to be stricter
about table manners than Americans
are. (Not than my family was. My
grandfather noticed everything and
was the enforcer.) In Europe, don’t
rest your elbows on the table, but
keep both hands above the table
at all times. This feat can be
accomplished by resting your wrists
on the edge of the table. Never be
tempted to tilt your chair back on
two legs or push food onto a fork
with your fingers.
Italy
If you are tempted to ask for extra
cheese, don’t. It’s a giant faux pas
to put more cheese on your pizza.
A bigger sin would be to add it to
seafood. A service charge is usually
added in the bill, but if the service is
exceptional, add 5 to 10% gratuity.
Portugal
If you are someone who uses a lot
of salt and pepper and there are
not salt and pepper shakers on
the table, don’t ask for them.
It is quite offensive to the
chef’s seasoning skills.
France
Don’t ask to split the bill, as it is
considered unsophisticated. You
offer to pay the bill or someone else
will. I personally have a problem with
this custom. I have found myself in
situations where someone paid the
bill and, later in the taxi, I slipped
them some money to help cover
my share. I knew their budget, but
I also knew they were French. They
were very appreciative. Use bread
to help push food to the fork. Tear
a piece of bread off and use it.
When not in use, bread belongs
on the table, not on the plate,
unless a very f