Table Etiquette and Beverages

Tipologie di bicchieri e tazze secondo il codice internazionale. Or… Types of glasses and cups according to the international code.- From “GalaTime: it is always time for good manners”!

When setting the table, always pick up every object on the table with a cloth, a towel or gloves (preferably white and cotton) so as not to leave fingerprints and streaks; I have happened to see some people holding the glasses by putting their fingers inside the glass. Never do this! Always pick up glasses from the stem or from the bottom, checking that there are no lime stains, that they are clear and transparent.

As we have already said, make certain that they do not have the smell of a cupboard, because it can happen that if glasses are not often used, scents or smells can emanate from them and alter the scents of the wines. It should also be emphasized that etiquette requires that wine or other beverage glasses are never colored. They may have small decorations, but they are always transparent.

Plan for that every four diners at your dinner table, you will have at least one jug of water, a wine decanter, a salt shaker each time. (If you are a guest, never ask the hostess for salt if it is not already on the table).

Water and all other beverages are not properly brought in plastic containers to the table: crystal, silver or glass are absolutely the materials which are preferred when entertaining; we can decide to decant a wine in special decanters, but nowadays, in agreement with the sommellerie, the original bottle on the table is granted, perhaps accompanied by a coaster, to avoid staining the tablecloth. 

Although already mentioned in another chapter, it is reiterated that the cans of the various beverages on the market are banned from the table and not only for a good aesthetic taste linked to the art of the device, according to etiquette, but above all because we know well that many they contain too much sugar which is harmful to both the figure and our health. Therefore, let us eliminate them from the diet, especially that of our children, so as not to accustom them to a wrong taste: better then replace these drinks with home-made infusions or healthy citrus juices. – Translated from “Galatime,” by Petra Carsetti and Carlo Cambi

Petra Carsetti was born into a gastronomic minded family… true lovers of excellent foods and wines. From an early age she showed a great passion for the table, which she later developed by working in important, well-known Italian restaurants. Since 2005, she has written many books on food and wine, along with guides to Italian restaurants, specializing also in galateo and etiquette at the Accademia Italiana Galateo and ANCEP (the Association of Ceremonialists for Public Institute). She teaches etiquette in schools to adults and children, is a consultant for various political and economic authorities, and she has a weekly column in a historic newspaper. She also writes for various other newspapers, and in September she will come out with her new book, “GalaTime: it is always time for good manners”!

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia