By: Elizabeth Soos, Founder of Auersmont School of Etiquette
Eating out when dating is a thrill and can be very romantic however choosing the wrong foods can dampen the night and cause awkwardness. Dining whilst dating can be a forecast into the future of your date’shabits and foibles and yours as well.
The Lady and the Tramp and Pretty Woman
Cast your mind to the Disney movie cartoon the Lady and the Tramp, in the famous scene where two dogs eat a sloppy spaghetti dish end up kissing!Romantic-yes, messy-yes. How about the famous scene in Pretty Woman where Julia Roberts attempts to wrestle with that slippery oyster!We have all been there.Here are some points in maintaining elegance during your date night.
Dining Etiquette Don’ts
Your date has stated they will pay for the meal, nice one. This event is not the place to be choosing foods that you’ve never heard of or eaten before.Leaving plates full of uneaten food may not impress your date and is a waste of their hard-earned cash.Don’t start drinking too much, too soon.You could be revealing too much about yourself before you know it or can recall. Orderlighter drinks first, whilst nibbling on finger foods moving onto wines and water for the main course.
Your date night is not the place to start using chopsticks if you have never used them before or if you’re freshly manicured and you’re about to eat a Middle Eastern dish with your fingers,never mind knowing which hand to use.Skip the coffee course unless you have a strong menthol solution to combat ‘coffee breath’. Pick herbal teas or an aperitif to end the night.
Dining Etiquette Do’s
Avoid messy foods that may stain your clothing and have you spending more time in the restroom than with your date these include most kinds of saucy pasta and curries.Choose foods that are easy to eat and you’re able to control food with your fork and knife, this will help you concentrate on the things that matter.Easy to eat cuisines such as chicken parmigiana, risotto or salads.
Seafood is a chic item to order, even better when your date is paying!Opt for, if you are feeling confident eating oysters using a seafood fork or splicing a boned fish with a fish knife.Select foods that won’t upset your stomach and make you feel uncomfortable and shift your focus off your date.Avoid overly creamy items, meat cooked rare or tartare, fermented vegetables or legumes or pungent fish.
‘Be Prepared’ as a Scout
Choosing wisely when you go on date will save you from embarrassing moments or having your date second guess their evening with you. Go prepared and ready, this will keep anxiety to a minimum, will have you enjoying your night and ready for the next date.
