Quote:
Originally Posted by ASTalumna06
As BAcckbOwlsgIrl points out, with the meat cutting, it depends on whether you're eating using the American or Continental style. And even with the American way, I've been taught that if you're being strict about it, cutting one piece at a time is proper. However, it is typical for people to cut a few pieces at a time, which is ok as well. What you don't want to do is cut an entire piece of meat into small pieces all at once.
As for the bread and butter, this is absolutely correct. It now is one of my pet peeves when I'm out at a restaurant and I see someone butter an entire piece of bread and then bite into it. You should use the butter knife to put a small amount of butter on your bread plate (assuming the butter is coming from a shared butter dish), then you should break off a bite-sized piece, use your knife to butter the bread, put the knife down, then eat the bread.
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The thing is, while technically correct, these are rather antiquated and probably not the most critical stuff to teach your members. The point of etiquette is to not be rude. It's far more important that people know not to chew with their mouth full or to return a napkin to the table than it is to course them in a bunch of arbitrary rules.
I think a good rule of thumb is to consider whether there is a good justification for the rule (e.g. you don't return your napkin to the table because it is dirty) in prioritizing the stuff members need to know.