TABLE MANNERS AT A DINNER PARTY
People who go to a formal Western dinner party for the first time may be surprised by table manners in Western culture.Knowing them will help you make a good impression.Having good table manners means knowing，for example，how to use knives and forks，when to drink a toast and how to behave at the table.Beside your napkin you will find a small bread roll and three glasses—one for white wine，one for red wine，and one for water.There are two pairs of knives and forks on the table，forks on the left and knives on the right of the plate.When you see two spoons，the big one is for the soup and the small one is for the dessert.The knife and fork that is closest to your plate is a little bit bigger than the pair beside them.When you sit down at the table，you can take your napkin，unfold it and put it on your lap.In China you usually get a hot，damp cloth to clean your face and hands，which，however，is not the custom in Western countries.
Dinner starts with a small dish，which is often called a starter.Some people pray before they start eating，and other people may keep silent for a moment.Then you can say “Enjoy your meal” to each other and everybody starts eating.For the starter，which you eat with the smaller pair，you keep the knife in your right hand and the fork in your left.After the starter you will get a bowl of soup—but only one bowl of soup and never ask for a second serving.
The next dish is the main course.Many Westerners think the chicken breast with its tender white flesh is the best part of the bird.Some people can use their fingers when eating chicken or other birds，but never touch beef or other meat on bones.It is polite to finish eating everything on your plate，so don't take more food than you need.
At table，you should try to speak quietly and smile a lot，but do not laugh all the time.
[阅读障碍词]
1．toast n．祝酒；干杯
2．napkin n．餐巾
3．tender adj.嫩的
