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TABLE MANNERS

There are a few rules that most Americans follow when eating,
which can be different from customs in other countries. People
usually wait for everyone to be served before they start eating;
however, other diners may politely insist that the person who has
been served start before the food gets cold.
If your table has been served wine, wait until everyone has
been served before you drink.
Americans use their right hand to eat unless they are left
handed. If you cut something, set down your knife on your plate
and put your fork in your right hand before you take a bite.
Any hand that is not being used for eating should be kept in
your lap. You can also rest a forearm on the edge of the table, but
never put an elbow on the table. Put the knife and fork together on
the plate to show the server that the plate can be removed. Do not
drink from a bowl, or lift it off the table.
Do not eat noisily.
Keep your mouth closed when eating, and never talk with food
in your mouth.
If you have to burp, apologize by saying, "excuse me." Try not
to burp at all.
Do not smoke at a table unless you are sitting in the smoking
section of a restaurant and everyone with you has finished eating.

DRINKING

For the average American, drinking is very much something
that is done outside of business. While alcohol is almost always a
part of social situations, it is not the focus of an evening's
entertainment. People often meet for drinks, but that is just the
excuse for getting together and talking to friends or business
associates. The amount that people drink has gone down quite a lot
in recent years, and it is not considered acceptable to drink at
lunchtime on a workday.
The basic American drinking establishment is the bar, although
many other places are licensed to sell alcoholic beverages, such as
restaurants, nightclubs, taverns, and most sports arenas. Depending
on the type of bar, drinks are ordered either directly at the bar from
the bartender, or from the server if there is table service. Since