1. Seating mode. Please bring the guests to the table first. Please sit down next to the elderly guests in turn and enter from the left side of the chair when you sit down. Don't move chopsticks after you sit down. Don't make any noise. Don't get up and walk around. If you have anything to say hello to your host.

Second, when eating, invite guests first. Keep moving chopsticks. Eat less food every time. Eat less food far away from you. Don't make any noise when eating. Don't make any noise when you drink soup. Take a sip with a spoon. It is not advisable to drink a bowl to your mouth. Drink the soup when it is too hot or too cold. Don't drink while blowing. Some people like to chew food when eating, especially hard-chewed food.

Third: Don't burp and make other noises when eating. If there are involuntary noises such as sneezing and bowel sounds, say "I'm sorry". Sorry; Please let the original cool. To apologize.

Fourth; If you want to help guests or elders, you'd better use public chopsticks. You can also give them dishes that are far away from your guests or elders. According to our Chinese custom, dishes are served one by one. If there are leaders, old people and guests at the same table, whenever a new dish is served, please ask them to move chopsticks first, or take turns asking them to move chopsticks first to show their attention.

Fifth: when eating fish heads, fishbones, bones, etc. Don't spit it out or throw it on the ground. Slowly take it to your plate by hand, or put it next to your dining table, or put it on the paper prepared in advance.

Sixth, we should take time out to talk with people around us in time to reconcile the atmosphere. Don't eat naked, ignore others, don't wolf down a big meal, and don't drink too much.

Seventh: You'd better not pick your teeth at the dinner table. If you want to pick your teeth, cover your mouth with a napkin or hand.

Eighth: Make clear the main task of this meal. We should be clear about whether to focus on business, contact feelings or eat. If we are in the front, we should pay attention when arranging seats. We should put the main negotiators' seats close to each other, so as to facilitate conversation or channel emotions. If we fall behind, we just need to pay attention to common sense and etiquette and concentrate on appreciating dishes.

Ninth: When you finally leave the table, you must thank the host or invite him to your home in return.

First, the banquet etiquette

(1) When you are invited to dinner, you are likely to be more interested in the people who eat at the same table and the conversation at the table than the food. Therefore, when eating, you should make as little noise and movements as possible.

(2) As soon as the hostess picks up the napkin, you can also pick up the napkin and put it on your lap. Sometimes there is a bun wrapped in a napkin; In that case, bring it here and put it on a small plate next to it.

(3) If the napkin is large, put it in double folds on your knees; If it's small, open it all. Never pin your napkin on your collar or vest, and don't rub it with your hands. You can wipe off oil stains or dirt on your mouth or fingers with a corner of your napkin. Never use it to clean knives, forks or plates.

(4) Dinner usually begins with soup. The biggest spoon in front of your seat is the spoon, next to the plate on your right. Don't use the spoon in the middle of the table by mistake, because it may be used to get vegetables and jam.

(5) Guests are not allowed to eat any food until the hostess picks up her spoon or fork. The hostess usually starts after each guest gets the food. She won't invite you to dinner first, as China is used to. When she picks up a spoon or fork, it means that everyone can do it.

(6) If there are fish dishes, they are usually served after the soup. There may be a fork for eating fish on the table, or it may be similar to a fork for eating meat, usually smaller. In short, the harpoon is placed on the outside of the meat fork away from the plate.

(7) Usually, before the fish is served, the bones of the fish have been removed. If the fish you eat still has thorns, you can hold a bread roll or a piece of bread in your left hand and poke the thorns with a knife in your right hand.

(8) If there is a thorn in your mouth, take it out with your fingers quietly and as unnoticed as possible, and put it on the edge of the plate. Don't put it on the table or throw it underground.

Banquet etiquette (1)

1, enjoy the whole people, don't whisper.

Most banquets have more guests, so try to talk about topics that most people can participate in and get the approval of most people. Because of different personal hobbies and knowledge, the topic should not be too biased as far as possible, so as not to be dominated by one family, far apart, and talk endlessly, leading to digression and ignoring everyone. In particular, try not to whisper to others and give others a sense of mystery, which will often cause jealousy of "just you two" and affect the effect of drinking.

2, aim at both sides, grasp the overall situation

Most banquets have a theme, that is, the purpose of drinking. When you go to eat, you should first look at the expressions around you and prioritize. Don't drink for the sake of drinking, and lose a good opportunity to make friends, let alone let some grandstanding drinkers disturb the host's meaning.

3. Appropriate language and humor

The wine table can show a person's talent, common sense, self-cultivation and communication etiquette. Sometimes a humorous language will leave a deep impression on the guests and make people feel good about you invisibly. Therefore, it is very important to know when to say something, to use appropriate language, and to be humorous.

4, moderate persuasion, don't force.

On the wine table, you often encounter the phenomenon of persuading wine. Some people always like to regard the wine field as a battlefield and try their best to persuade others to drink more, thinking that it is unrealistic to drink enough.

"Talk about heroes with wine" is ok for people who drink a lot, but it is difficult for people who drink less. Sometimes, excessive persuasion will completely destroy the feelings of the original friends.

5. Toast in an orderly way, with clear priorities.

Baking bread is also a science. Generally speaking, a toast should be made in the order of age, position and the status of the guest and the host. Before toasting, we must fully consider the order of toasting and distinguish between primary and secondary. In order to drink with people you don't know, you should first inquire about your identity or pay attention to what others call you so as not to be embarrassed or hurt your feelings.

When toasting, you must grasp the order of toasting. If you want to have a guest at the dinner table, you should be respectful to him, but you should pay attention to the fact that if someone with higher status or older people is present, you should not only be respectful to those who can help you, but also propose a toast to the respected elders first, otherwise everyone will be embarrassed.

6. Read words and understand people's hearts.

If you want to get everyone's appreciation on the wine table, you must learn to read and read. When dealing with people, we must understand people's hearts, so that we can play a good role on the wine table.

7, the edge is gradually exposed, sit firmly on Mount Tai.

At the banquet, you should see the occasion clearly, correctly evaluate your own strength, don't be too impulsive, try to keep some alcohol and talk, don't let others underestimate yourself and don't show yourself too much, choose the right time and gradually radiate your own edge, so as to sit firmly on Mount Tai and not give others the idea of "this ability", so that everyone can't underestimate your strength.

Banquet etiquette (2)

1- seat

Generally speaking, the seating order is "Zuo Zun Dong" and "Zun Men". If it is a round table, the host and guests face the gate. In terms of the distance from the host and guest, the closer the host and guest are, the more respected they are. At the same distance, the left side is more respected than the right side. If it is a square table, if there is a seat facing the gate, the seat on the right side of the gate is the host and guest. If it is not facing the gate, the right seat on the east side is the chief.

If it is a big banquet, the arrangement between tables should pay attention to the chief, with 2, 4 and 6 seats on the left and 3, 5 and 7 seats on the right. According to the identity and status of the host and guests, relatives and friends should sit separately.

If you are the host, you should arrive early, then wait at the door and show the seats to the guests. If you are invited, you should be seated according to the host's arrangement.

Generally speaking, if your boss is present, you should lead him to the main seat and ask the customer to sit on the left side of the main seat, which is the highest level. Unless the host's leadership level is very high.

Step 2: Order food.

If time permits, you should wait for most of the guests to arrive, distribute the menu to the guests and invite them to order. Of course, as a business banquet, you will worry about the budget. Therefore, it is most important to control the budget and do more homework before you cook. More importantly, choose a suitable place for your guests, so that they can have a great understanding of your budget. In addition, generally speaking, you pay the bill, the guests are not too embarrassed, and you are the host. If your boss is at the party, don't let him/her order because he/she respects him/her or thinks he/she has rich social experience and eats too much unless he/she asks for it. Otherwise he will feel that he is not decent enough.

If you are a frequent party guest, you should know that you should not take the initiative to order food, but let the host order food. If the other party asks in good faith, you can order a dish that is not too expensive or taboo. Remember to ask the people at the same table, especially "Is there anything not to eat?" Or "What do you prefer to eat?" Let everyone feel taken care of. After ordering, you can ask "I ordered, I don't know if it suits several people's tastes", "Would you like something else" and so on.

When ordering, be sure to know what you want. When ordering food, you can follow the following three rules: look at the composition of personnel. Generally speaking, one dish per capita is a general rule. If it is a dinner with more men, the amount can be increased appropriately.

Second, look at the combination of dishes. Generally speaking, it is best to prepare a table of dishes well, mix hot and cold, and try to be comprehensive. If there are many men on the table, you can order more meat, and if there are many women, you can order more light vegetables.

Third, look at the importance of banquet. If it is an ordinary business banquet, ordinary dishes from 50 yuan to 80 yuan are acceptable. If the object of this banquet is a key person, order a few dishes with enough weight, such as lobster, swordfish and shad, and then serve abalone, wing powder and so on.

Another thing to note is that when ordering, don't ask the waiter about the price of the food or bargain. This will make your company look a little petty in front of customers and customers will feel uncomfortable.

Attachment: A Guide to Chinese Meals-Three Advantages and Four Taboos

A standard Chinese meal usually starts with cold dishes, then stir-fry, then main course, then snacks and soup. If you feel a little tired, you can order some dessert and finally serve a plate of fruit. When ordering food, we should take into account the dishes of each program.

Preferred dishes

First, dishes with China characteristics. Pay more attention to this rule when entertaining foreign guests. Such as fried spring rolls, dumplings, steamed dumplings, lion's head, kung pao chicken and so on. It is not delicious, but it is highly praised by many foreigners because of its distinctive China characteristics.

Second, dishes with local characteristics. For example, soup mutton in Xi 'an, braised pork in Maojia, Hunan, stewed lion's head in Shanghai, and instant-boiled mutton in Beijing, I'm afraid these specialties will be more praised than the same raw seafood when entertaining foreign guests there.

Third, the specialty of this restaurant. Many restaurants have their own specialties. The last special dish of this restaurant can best reflect the host's care and respect for the invited guests.

When arranging the menu, we should also consider the dietary taboos of the guests, especially the dietary taboos of the guests. There are four main dietary taboos.

1. Religious dietary taboos should not be ignored at all. For example, Muslims usually don't eat pork or drink alcohol. Buddhists in China eat less meat, not only meat, but also irritating foods such as onions, garlic, leeks and mustard greens. Some Buddhists who believe in Guanyin are forbidden to eat beef in their diet, so they should pay special attention when entertaining Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan and overseas Chinese compatriots.

For health reasons, some foods are also taboo. For example, people with heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, arteriosclerosis, high blood pressure and sequelae of stroke are not suitable for eating dog meat. Patients with hepatitis should avoid eating mutton and soft-shelled turtle. People with digestive diseases such as gastroenteritis and gastric ulcer soup are also not suitable for eating soft-shelled turtle. Patients with hypertension and high cholesterol should drink less chicken soup.

3. People's dietary preferences are often different in different regions. For this reason, we should take this into account when arranging the menu. For example, people in Hunan generally like to eat spicy food and eat less sweets. British and American people usually don't eat pets, rare animals, animal viscera, animal heads and claws. In addition, when entertaining foreign guests, try to eat as little hard food as possible, and foreigners are unlikely to spit out the food they have bitten into their mouths when eating, which also needs to be considered.

4. Some occupations, for some reasons, often have different special taboos in catering. For example, national civil servants are not allowed to eat, invite guests, eat and drink at official banquets, eat beyond the standards stipulated by the state, and drink alcoholic beverages. For another example, drivers are not allowed to drink alcohol during work. If you ignore this point, you may make the other party make mistakes.

Eat vegetables

People in China are generally very particular about eating, and they are also very particular about eating. With more and more attention paid to workplace etiquette, eating at the business table is also more particular. Take Chinese food as an example to teach you how to be polite and elegant at the dinner table.

At the beginning of the Chinese banquet, the first wet towel sent by the waiter is to wipe your hands. Don't use it to wipe your face. When lobster, chicken and fruit are served, a small lemon with lemon slices or rose petals floating is not a drink, but is used to wash hands. When washing your hands, you can wet your fingers in turn, rinse them gently, and then dry them with a small towel.

Pay attention to manners when eating. Don't persuade foreign guests repeatedly, but introduce the characteristics of Chinese food to each other. It's up to him to decide whether to eat or not. Some people like to persuade others and even help others. Foreign guests do not have this habit. If you are polite again and again, people may resent it: "I said I won't eat." What do you have to make me do? " By analogy, when attending a banquet hosted by foreign guests, don't expect the host to give you food repeatedly. If you wait for someone to serve you food, you have to be hungry.

Don't start eating immediately after the guests are seated. Instead, guests should wait for the host to say hello, and then raise their glasses to signal the start. Guests can't walk in front of their hosts. To be civilized, don't move chopsticks until it's your turn. Don't grab it in front of your neighbors. It's not advisable to take too many dishes at once. Chewing slowly is not only conducive to digestion, but also a etiquette requirement at the table. Never put a big piece in your mouth and wolf it down, it will give people the impression of greed. Don't be picky about food, don't just stare at your favorite food, or pile your favorite dishes on the plate in a hurry. The action of eating should be elegant. Don't touch your neighbor while eating. Don't put the plate on the table. Don't spill the soup Don't make unnecessary sounds, such as "purring" when eating soup and "banging" when eating vegetables, which are all vulgar expressions. Don't talk to people while eating. Don't spit bones and fishbones in your mouth on the table. Cover your mouth with a napkin, take it out with chopsticks and put it on a plate. Don't eat the food on the table. Don't play with bowls and chopsticks when eating, and don't take others directly with chopsticks. Don't pick your mouth with your hands. When picking teeth with a toothpick, cover your mouth with your hand or napkin. Don't let the tableware make any noise.

After eating, you can wipe your mouth with napkins, napkins or small towels sent by the waiter, but it is not advisable to wipe your head, neck or chest; Don't burp or burp uncontrollably after meals; The guests can't leave the table until the host signals the end.

refresh

As the saying goes, the more you drink, the stronger you get, but there is also a lot of knowledge on the wine table. The following summarizes some small details that have to be paid attention to on the wine table.

Details 1: Before it was their turn to propose a toast, the leaders drank with each other. When toasting, you must stand up and raise your glass with both hands.

Detail 2: You can be respected by many people. Never be respected by many people unless you are a leader.

Detail 3: Respect others. If you don't clink glasses, how much you drink depends on the situation. For example, the drinking capacity and attitude of the other party must not be less than that of the other party. You should know that you respect others.

Detail 4: Respect others by yourself. If you clink a glass, by the way, I'll finish it, so be generous.

Detail 5: Remember to add more wine to the leaders or customers. Don't blindly drink for the leader, that is, if the leader or customer really wants to find someone to replace him, pretend that he wants to drink instead of drinking for the leader. For example, leader A can't drink enough. Beating around the bush can stop people who want to worship leader A.

Detail 6: Pick up the glass (beer glass), grab the glass with your right hand and put it on the bottom with your left hand. Remember that your cup is always lower than others'. If you are a leader, you should be sensible and don't put it too low, otherwise how can you be a person below.

Detail 7: If there is no special person present, it is best to touch the wine in chronological order, and don't favor one over the other.

Detail 8: clink glasses, make a toast and make a statement. Otherwise, why the fuck should I drink your wine?

Detail 9: Don't talk business at the dinner table. After drinking, the business will be almost the same. Everyone knows that, otherwise people will not be free to drink with you.

Details 10: If there is not enough wine, put the wine bottle in the middle of the table and let others add it themselves. Don't be silly to pour wine one by one, or what should the people behind you do if they don't have wine? About toasting

1, the host respects the guest.

2. Accompany guests and respect them.

3. Host and guest thank each other.

4. Accompany guests and respect each other.

Remember: guests must not make a noisy toast, which is very impolite and disrespectful to the host.

5- pour tea

The knowledge of tea pouring mentioned here is applicable to both visiting the company's customers and business dining tables.

First of all, the tea set should be clean. After the guest enters the room, sit down first and order tea. Before making tea, you must clean the tea set, especially the tea set that has not been used for a long time. It is inevitable that there will be dust and dirt, so it should be carefully cleaned with clear water. It is best to iron the teapot and teacup with boiling water before making and pouring tea. In this way, it is both hygienic and polite. Whether the tea set is clean or not, it is impolite to pour tea for the guests. People get sick at the sight of stains on teapots and teacups. How can they drink your tea? Now the average company is disposable cups. Pay attention to put a cup holder on the disposable cups before pouring tea, so as not to burn the hot water and make the guests unable to drink tea for a while.

Secondly, tea should be moderate. Let's talk about tea first. Generally speaking, it should be appropriate. There should be neither too much nor too little tea. There are many Chata, and the tea taste is too strong; There are too few tea leaves, and the brewed tea has no taste. If the guest introduces his habit of drinking strong tea or weak tea, make tea according to the guest's mouth and stomach. Besides, pouring tea, whether it's a large cup or a small cup, can't be too full. If it is too full, it is easy to overflow and wet the table, stool and floor. If you are not careful, you will burn yourself or your guests' hands and feet, which will make the host and guests very embarrassed. Of course, it is not advisable to pour too little. If you only serve tea to the guests over the bottom of the cup, it will make people feel that you are pretending, not sincere.

Third, the tea should be served just right. According to the traditional habits of our people, as long as there is no disability in both hands, tea is served to guests with both hands. But now some young people don't understand this rule, so they hand the tea to the guests with one hand. Pay attention to serving tea with both hands. For a teacup with a cup ear, it is generally to hold the cup ear with one hand and the bottom of the cup with the other hand to pour tea for the guests. After a teacup without a cup ear is filled with tea, it is hot all over and it is difficult to get close to your hands. Some comrades, regardless of the willy-nilly, hold the edge of the cup with five fingers and give it to the guests. Although this method of serving tea can prevent scalding accidents, it is not beautiful and sanitary enough. Please imagine, let the guest's mouth lick the owner's fingerprint, does it feel good?

Add tea. If the boss and customers need to add tea to the cup, you are duty-bound. You can signal the waiter to add tea, or ask the waiter to leave the teapot on the dining table and add it yourself. This is the best way to hide when you don't know what to say. Of course, when you add tea, you should add tea to your boss and customers first, and then add tea to yourself.

6- Leave your seat

Generally, cocktail parties and tea parties take a long time, about two hours or more. Maybe after walking around and meeting some people, I will want to leave soon. At this time, you can't help but understand some skills of giving up halfway.

It is common that when the banquet is in full swing, because someone wants to leave, everyone breaks up in a hubbub, which makes the organizers really anxious. In order to avoid this disappointing result, when you leave halfway, don't say goodbye to everyone in the conversation circle, just quietly say hello to two or three people around you.

If you leave the reception halfway, you must explain and apologize to the host who invited you. You can't disappear in an instant.

Say hello to your host, and then you should leave at once. Don't drag your master on in Daimon Masaru. Because the other party has a lot of things to do that day, there are still many guests waiting for him (her) to meet him (her). You take up too much of the host's time, which will cause him or her to be rude in front of other guests.

Some people attend cocktail parties and tea parties, and when they are ready to leave halfway, they will ask people they know if they want to go with them. As a result, the lively scene was so encouraged by her that it broke up early. This noisy thing is the most difficult thing to get the forgiveness of the host of the banquet. An elegant person should never make such a mistake.

China people are helped by etiquette, and food is the most important thing for the people. How can there be no rules for eating? Although it is three meals a day, it is better to know than not to know!

1。 It is not appropriate to inform the guests in advance, take a seat at 6 o'clock and call the guests at 5: 50.

2。 The host family can't be late; Guests should be 5- 10 minutes late. This is a very considerate guest. Attach importance to it, and the natural host and guests are very happy.

3。 If you sit on the round table, it is the main seat facing the door, or the back wall and counter; Pay attention to some restaurants and distinguish them with napkins. You can't just sit at the top of napkins unless you plan to treat them well:

4。 The host's right hand side is the host and guest, and the left hand side is the second most important guest; Facing the host by the door, he is naturally an escort who runs errands and greets.

5。 A guest can't directly give directions to the ordering staff, but wait for the host's family to order; If the guest does have serious taboos or hobbies, tell the host gently, and the host will naturally make a decision for him to meet the requirements of the guest.

6。 The host family does not order or order dishes that need to be grasped or taken by hand, such as crabs, lobster legs, ribs and so on. There is no way to serve three such dishes at a meal. What manners can be said!

7。 Don't force or oppose others to drink a little, no table can be served without wine!

8。 Serve drinks! Foreigners like to praise their own cooking, while China people don't praise their own food. The host carefully observes the cold dishes served. When there is a drink in each cup, he immediately raises a glass to welcome the start, and turns the disc or signals the host and guests on the right to move chopsticks first. Don't delay the host and guest for too long, everyone is hungry, just waiting for you to eat! Don't forget to praise the food you eat.

9。 After each dish is served, although the waiter and host will still turn to the host and guest, it is not necessary to be too formal. If no one turns the disc in front of me, I'll try it with small chopsticks first!

10。 The host family should always turn discs to take care of most of the guests; Accompanying guests is a supplementary greeting service; If the guests can have a complete meal without touching the dishes, then both the host and the guests will be happy again.

1 1。 If there is no waiter to divide the dishes or chopsticks spoons, look at them first. Don't pick and choose with chopsticks or even stir them on the plate! Not everyone doesn't mind the saliva on your chopsticks like lovers! I usually watch the part closest to me.

12。 It's best to let the food on chopsticks transition in your own dish and then send it to your mouth. It can make eating seem less urgent.

13。 When chewing food in your mouth, it is important to remember that your lips should be tightly closed to avoid talking, falling objects, overflowing juice and making unpleasant sounds.

14。 You should keep your back straight and try to sit in a chair instead of * when eating or before eating. When eating, hands are basically above the table.

15。 A host with a good appetite and a guest who is losing weight are not suitable for such a dinner party.

There are many manners that should be paid attention to at the dinner table, which are often ignored.

(1) Sit and leave.

1. Wait for the old man to sit down.

If there is a lady at the table, you should wait until the lady is seated. If the lady's seat is next door, someone should page her.

After dinner, other guests can leave only after the hostess and the host leave.

4. Sit up straight and keep a proper distance from the dining table.

When eating in a restaurant, the waiter should take you to the table.

6. When leaving the seat, help the old man or woman in the next seat to drag the seat.

(B) the use of incense towels

1, napkins are mainly used to prevent clothes from getting dirty, and also to wipe oil stains on your mouth and hands.

You must wait until everyone is seated before you can use the napkin.

3. After the napkin is spread out, put it on the thigh at the top of the knee. Don't wear a belt or hang it on the collar of a suit.

Never wipe the tableware with napkin.

(3) the general etiquette at the table

1. Sit up straight, put your feet under the seat, and don't straighten up at will. Don't lean your elbow on the edge of the table, and don't put your hand on the back of the seat next to you.

2. When eating, be gentle, calm and not impatient.

3. At the dinner table, you should not only care about yourself, but also care about others, especially the female guests on both sides.

If there is food in your mouth, you should avoid talking.

5. Don't put your own tableware in the public plate to get food.

6, be sure to stutter, don't big mouth, food is the last to swallow, can't plug the entrance.

7. When picking vegetables and scooping soup, use public chopsticks and spoons.

8, eat imported things, can not spit it out, such as hot food, you can drink water or juice to shower.

9. When the food is delivered to the entrance, the elbows should be tilted inward, instead of being placed straight at the sides to touch the neighbors.

10. When you hold a knife and fork or others chew food, you should avoid talking or toasting.

1 1, delicious is a dish, not a dish. Food with juice can't be rushed into your mouth, otherwise the soup will drip on the tablecloth, which is extremely indecent.

12, never pull out your teeth with your fingers, use a toothpick and cover it with your hand or handkerchief.

13. Avoid coughing, sneezing and sulking at the dinner table. If you can't help it, you should say "I'm sorry"

14, drink casually, toast politely, and don't persuade, guess or shout.

15. If the tableware falls, please ask the waiter to pick it up.

16. In case of an accident, you accidentally spill wine, water and soup on someone else's clothes, just apologize, and you don't have to make amends in a hurry, but make the other person embarrassed.

17. If you want to take the condiments placed in front of other guests at the same table, ask the guests next to you to pass them to you. You shouldn't reach out and drive for them.

18, if the host cooks himself, don't forget to thank the host.

19. If you eat something unclean or smelly, don't swallow it. You should gently take out the imported food with your thumb and forefinger and put it on the plate. Don't make a fuss if you find bugs and gravel in the unfinished dishes. When the waiter comes near, tell him to change it softly.

20. After eating, the tableware must be placed neatly and not misplaced. Napkins should also be folded and put on the table.

2 1. Smoking is not allowed in the process of staple food. If you want to smoke, you must ask your neighbors' permission first.

22, eating in a restaurant, you can't grab the bill, push and pull the payment, it is indecent. If you are a guest, you can't rush to pay the bill. You shouldn't pay the bill for your friend without his consent.

23. Eat at the same speed as the host and hostess, neither too fast nor too slow.

24. Don't talk about sadness at the dinner table, or it will spoil the happy atmosphere.