6 Tips on how to follow Italy dinning etiquette

Italy is the home of elegance, style and one of the best cuisines in the world. Italian food is considered by some to be the finest in the world.

                              

                                                                           1.  Dining etiquette for beginning to eat.

Do not begin eating until the host says. "Buòn appetito!" – Meaning: ‘eat as much as you can because you may not be invited to another feast if you don’t behave yourselves

2.       Dining etiquette for your hands.

Put your hands where can see them. “Wrists should be on the table, but never your elbows. And don’t cross your hands when not holding utensils, your hands should be visible above the table. Rest your wrists on top of the table (never your elbows).

3.       Dining etiquette for eating bread.

 Bread is usually served without butter (therefore, there will usually not be a butter knife, but there may be a bread dish: if so, this usually means that olive oil will be served to dip the bread into; if not, you can place your bread on the side of your main plate or on the table throughout the meal).

4.       Dining etiquette for eating pasta.

 If you are served pasta, does not use a spoon to assist yourself while eating it. Use a fork and the sides of the bowl or plate against which to twirl the pasta onto the fork

5.       Dining etiquette for eating salad.

 Never cut the lettuce in your salad. Fold it with your knife and fork into a little bundle that can be picked up with your fork.

6.       Dining etiquette for drinking.

Food and wine in Italy are like yin and yang, so don’t expect to have one without the other. “You’ll find that the wine will only be brought out with the food. This is because each wine is designed to go with a specific dish. Red wine will always be served with meat, whereas white wine will always be produced for fish –because it has a more delicate taste.