Dining Etiquette

When visiting a Cypriot's home after being invited, shake hands with everyone upon entering and leaving. People dress tastefully but casually. Offer to assist the hostess with the meal's preparation or cleanup afterward.

Continental table manners dictate that the knife should be held in the right hand while eating and the fork in the left. Until you are requested to sit down, keep standing. Typically, the eldest individual and guest of honor receive first dibs.

You should wait till the hostess starts to eat before starting. Use only your right hand to pass dishes. Expect to receive more servings, possibly even a third. Finishing everything on your plate is considered courteous. Cross your knife and fork on your plate, the fork going over the knife, if you haven't completed eating. Laying your knife and fork parallel over the right side of your plate signifies that you are done eating.