Welcome to British Table Manners!

Have you ever wondered why people eat the way they do? Every country has its own special customs, and Britain is no different! When you sit down to eat in Britain, there are lots of unwritten rules about how to behave. These are called ‘table manners’ and they help everyone enjoy their meal together. Learning about them is a fun way to understand British culture.

Good table manners show respect for the people you are eating with and for the food itself. They make meal times pleasant and polite. Even if you’re just having a quick snack, remembering a few key things can make a big difference.

Common British Table Manners

Here are some of the most common customs you’ll find when eating with British people:

Waiting to Eat: It’s polite to wait until everyone at the table has been served their food before you start eating. If it’s a very large group, the host might say “Please start!” so that the food doesn’t get cold.
Sitting Nicely: Try to sit up straight at the table. Keep your elbows off the table, especially when you are eating. Resting your wrists on the edge of the table is usually fine.
Using Cutlery: In Britain, we mostly use a fork in our left hand and a knife in our right hand. The knife is used to cut food, and the fork is used to lift it to your mouth. When you’re not cutting, you can rest your knife on the plate with the blade facing inwards.
Chewing with Mouth Closed: This is a very important rule! Always chew your food with your mouth closed. No one wants to see or hear someone else chewing their meal.
Talking at the Table: Meal times are a great chance to chat, but remember to speak softly and politely. Don’t shout across the table or interrupt others. Try not to talk with your mouth full of food – wait until you have swallowed.
Passing Food: If someone asks you to pass something, like salt or bread, pass it directly to them, not across someone else’s plate. If you take the last of something from a serving dish, it’s polite to ask if anyone else would like it.
Napkins: If you have a napkin, unfold it and place it on your lap. Use it to dab your mouth if needed. When you finish your meal, you can loosely fold it and place it on the table beside your plate.
Asking to be Excused: If you need to leave the table before everyone else has finished, it’s polite to say “Excuse me, please” before you get up.

British Food Customs and Traditions

Beyond how we eat, there are also some interesting customs about what and when we eat:

Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner: Most British people have three main meals a day. Breakfast is usually quite early, lunch around midday, and dinner (the main evening meal) usually between 6 pm and 8 pm.
Afternoon Tea: This is a special tradition, not an everyday meal for most people now, but it’s still enjoyed as a treat. It usually happens in the afternoon and involves tea, sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, and cakes. It started in the 19th century as a way to bridge the long gap between lunch and dinner.
Sunday Roast: This is a very popular tradition, often enjoyed on a Sunday afternoon. It typically includes roasted meat (like beef, chicken, lamb, or pork), roast potatoes, vegetables, gravy, and Yorkshire puddings. It’s often a meal shared with family.
Queuing: This isn’t strictly about food, but it’s a very British custom! Whether you’re buying fish and chips, waiting for a coffee, or in the supermarket, British people are very good at forming a queue (a line) and waiting their turn patiently. It’s considered rude to ‘jump the queue’.
“Please” and “Thank You”: These simple words are very important in Britain. Always remember to say “please” when you ask for something and “thank you” when you receive it, whether it’s food, a drink, or help.

Table Manners: Do’s and Don’ts

Here’s a quick summary to help you remember some key British table manners:

Do	Don’t
Wait for everyone to be served before eating.	Start eating before others (unless invited to).
Chew with your mouth closed.	Talk with food in your mouth.
Use cutlery correctly (fork left, knife right).	Make loud noises while eating or drinking.
Keep elbows off the table.	Lean too far back in your chair.
Ask politely to pass food.	Reach across someone’s plate for something.
Say “please” and “thank you”.	Be rude or disrespectful to others.

Enjoying British Food and Customs

Learning about British customs and behaviour around food can be a lot of fun. Remember, these rules are mostly about being polite and making everyone feel comfortable and happy during meal times. Don’t worry if you forget something sometimes – the most important thing is to try your best and be thoughtful towards others.

So, next time you sit down for a meal, whether it’s a traditional Sunday roast or just a sandwich, remember these tips and enjoy the British way of eating!

Written by Mandy Barrow

Project Britain