Have you ever been the ill-mannered dinner guest who accidentally "ripped a big one" after the meal or in any way insulted the host or hostess, only to be gossiped about and never invited back again? I've got some essential guidelines you must follow in order to be considered a polite dinner guest.
Mind your manners, not only throughout dinner, but also before. As you enter the house, it's always courteous to compliment how nice everything looks and smells. Immediately when you are seated, always put your napkin in your lap. The silverware should be placed in the correct spot on the table. The knife and spoon belong on the right side on the plate and the fork, alongside your drinking glass, on the left side.
When the meal is served, remember that the key to being a polite dinner guest is your manners. When passing the dishes around the table, pass them counter-clockwise. Before filling your plate keep in mind, not to take more than you can eat. When you have all you want on your plate, sit tolerantly and wait on the other guests to also finish preparing their plate.
As you begin eating always keep one hand in your lap, close to your napkin in case of an emergency. Under no circumstances put your elbows on the table. This is just proof to the other guests that you were, in fact, raised in a barn.
Despite the taste of the meal, never chew with your mouth open or spit the chewed food into your napkin. Just swallow it and wash it down with your drink. Although you may need every drop of liquid in your glass, do not guzzle, or slurp it down in any abnormal manner.
When you finish your meal, sit patiently for the other guests to do so as well. When everyone is finished slowly push your chair back, place your napkin on top of your plate, and carry it to the kitchen. For extra brownie points with the host or hostess, offer to help wash dishes and put away the left-over food. Don't forget as you are leaving, to thank the host graciously.