Take the Etiquette IQ test
February 7, 2004 | 12:00am
I have received countless letters asking about norms of conduct and etiquette, most of which I have answered in past articles. It is always good to refresh one’s memory on etiquette issues, but at the cost of sounding repetitive, I opted to do it as a quiz. This way, you can all test your Etiquette IQ.
1. At a formal dinner, the dessert spoon and fork should be placed:
a) next to the soup spoon
b) to the left of the butter knife
c) given when dessert is serve
d) above the plate
Answer: D
2. The napkin should be left on your lap:
a) only when you are eating
b) for as long as your host has a napkin on his lap
c) just for the main course
d) for the entire meal
Answer: D
3. If you get up in the middle of the meal to go the rest room, the napkin should be left:
a) on the right side near the glasses
b) on the left side near the forks
c) on your chair
Answer: C
4. If you drop your utensil in a restaurant:
a) ask the waiter to replace it
b) go to the kitchen and replace it yourself if the waiter is not around
c) apologize to everyone at the table and ask if someone has an extra
d) pick it up discreetly, wipe it with your napkin and use it
Answer: A
5. At an informal sit-down dinner where there is no help, the host passes the dishes to his
a) left
b) right
c) there is no set rule
d) the host does not begin serving the meal
Answer: B
6. Hold a glass of white wine by:
a) the base of the bowl
b) the stem
c) whatever is comfortable for you
Answer: B
7. A sommelier is:
a) the person who hands out warm face cloths
b) the bathroom attendant
c) the violinist
d) the wine steward
Answer: D
8. The wine list is given to:
a) everyone at the table
b) the guest of honor
c) the wine connoisseur
d) the host
Answer: D, unless the host gives the honor to a guest who is a wine connoisseur
9. When inviting a guest to a no-host party to celebrate a guest of honor, the organizer should:
a) foot the bill
b) assume that everyone will contribute
c) just pay for her own and the guest’s portion and everyone else will pay their own share
d) make clear the payment procedure before the dinner
Answer: D. To avoid misunderstanding and miscommunication, it’s good procedure to let everyone know that everyone except the guest of honor is paying
10. If a guest did not contribute to the bill, you should:
a) ask the manager to handle it
b) send him a polite note the next day
c) confront him at the restaurant
d) cross him out of your list and never invite him again
Answer: B
11. A fixed menu includes:
a) the entrée only
b) an appetizer, entrée, and dessert
c) all you can eat
d) none of the above
Answer: B
12. On an a la carte menu:
a) Food is served buffet style
b) Food is less expensive
c) Each item is priced separately
d) The tip is included
Answer: C
13. High tea is served:
a) at breakfast
b) in the mid afternoon
c) after four o’clock
d) after dinner
Answer: C
14. A table seating in a dinner party should have:
a) an equal ratio of males to females
b) men and women only seated next to the opposite sex
c) an even number of people
d) None of the above
Answer: D) The host has the prerogative to choose the number of guests and the gender of his guests. It could be an all male or all female table.
15. If you receive a call on your cell phone at a formal dinner party, you should:
a) answer the call but say you will return his call later
b) have a lengthy conversation
c) excuse yourself from the table in order to take the call
d) None of the above
Answer: D) You should not have your cell phone on unless you are expecting a very urgent call. Put your phone on silent vibrate mode and excuse yourself from the table explaining to your host the urgency of the call.
16. If you are living in a condominium and your next door neighbors are having a violent fight that could be dangerous:
a) slip spousal abuse literature underneath their door
b) call the police!
c) knock on their door and ask them to quiet down
d) speak to the neighbors and try to have them evicted
Answer: B) You could save a life!
17. When a friend is telling a rude story in a public place:
a) ask her to save the story for later in a more appropriate environment
b) pretend that she is not with you
c) apologize to those around you for your friend’s improper behavior
d) act like nothing is wrong
Answer: A
18. When introducing people to one another:
a) state only their first names
b) state only their last names
c) Include both first and last names of the people you are introducing
d) any of the above
Answer: C
I hope you had fun in testing your Etiquette I. Q. There are still many more topics I have not covered but there is always a next time!
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