It is with great regret that the staff at the Restaurant Rant feels the necessity to bring this subject to your attention but the reality stands. The countless hours spent in the dark at a vast array of bistros, some exceptional some forgettable, has taught us one truth that is as accountable as any we know. Our collective Mothers didn’t teach us how to eat in public.

To address this problem, we are pleased to present the following pages on dining etiquette. We don’t presume that this treatment is the final document on the subject. On the contrary; we feel that this topic deserves more than we have room for here. Wine etiquette alone could fill volumes and discussing foreign dining etiquette is far too ambitious an endeavor to assume its place here.

Etiquette is not just about which fork to use or chewing with your mouth closed. Etiquette is an understanding of how your behavior affects everyone around you. To assume that knowledge of flat ware is a deciding factor of your social station is ridiculous. The way you interact with the ambiance, the wait staff and your fellow diners is the point of proper etiquette. And these points of etiquette do make a difference in our cultural structure.

Please read on. If you find your conduct in this manuscript have faith. Change the way you eat. Your reward will be charming manners and an improved dining experience.