Dining Etiquette
Although the home is only for family or close friends, Belgians mingle in restaurants. If you get an invitation in writing, you must respond in writing as well. Hold off on meeting the other guests until your host or hostess introduces you. Dress sartorially. Belgians are proud of their appearance, and they anticipate that you will be as well.
Show up on time. Being on time shows respect. You should wait for your host to direct you to a seat. Prior to men, women take their seats. Continental table manners dictate that the knife should be held in the right hand while eating and the fork in the left. When eating, keep your wrists above the table. Before taking a taste of your beverage, wait to see if your host makes a toast.
A toast may also be spoken by the honored guest. A toast may be made by a woman. Standing for a toast is considered polite. When making a toast, the Flemish raise their glasses twice. At first, during the toast, and then after it is over, the glass is raised. Keep food on your plate at all times. It is viewed as wasteful and impolite. Laying your knife and fork parallel on your plate with the tines facing up and the handles facing to the right signifies that you are done eating. Praise for a meal is an authentic praise among Belgians, who take pride in their cuisine.
