There is a long list of rules pertaining to Dining Etiquette. It is important to review these rules so you feel comfortable eating during a formal gather. Excellent leaders display respect for others in all situations, especially when sharing a meal. Review some of these guidelines during a HOSA meeting and see if there any courtesies that can be added to the list.

• Seat yourself from the left side of the chair and rise from the same side to avoid bumping into others. The exception is if you are on the far right end; enter from the right to avoid excessive movement.
• Sit erect at the table. Do not rest your arms on the table or crowd the individual next to you. Keep your arms close to your body to avoid hitting the person beside you. Be especially careful when cutting food.
• No one should begin to eat until all are served and the hostess begins eating. Before a plate is passed for second serving or when through eating, place the knife and fork close together across the center of the plate. If in a large group, begin eating when the immediate group around you has been served.
• Take small bites and eat slowly and quietly. Do not attempt to talk with food in your mouth.
• Talk about cheerful, pleasant things at the table.
• Do not sniff food to determine if you like it.
• Stir your beverage only once or twice to mix sugar and/or cream.
• Do not play with your food or move food from one side of the plate to the other.
• Crumbling crackers or mixing foods is inappropriate and offensive.
• Catsup is to be poured on one section of the plate, not over the entire food portion. The idea is never to let your plate look messy.
• Jellies to be spread on bread, pickles, and other relishes to be eaten with the fingers are placed on the bread and butter plate, if available. Jellies or relishes to be eaten with a fork along with the meat course are placed on the dinner plate.
• When bread and butter plate is on the table, use it appropriately. Butter is to be placed on dinner or bread/butter plate with butter server. Break bread in halves or quarters and butter only portion eating, never the entire roll. Use your knife for spreading and not the butter server.
• The bread and butter knife remains on the bread and butter plate at the end of the meal.
• Use fingers to remove bread from the serving plate. Spearing or eating bread with fork is not in good taste.
• Salt and pepper shakers are to be passed together even when only one is requested.
• If sugar is in small packages and is requested, pass the container, not one or two packages. Place paper envelopes on the edge of the saucer or under the rim of your plate and not in the ashtray.
• Ask to have an article passed rather than reach in front of a person to get it.
• Accept a second helping if it is desired, only after everyone has been served once.
• Place the napkin on the knees. If it is large, unfold it halfway. Use the napkin to wipe the mouth and fingers as necessary.
• Ask to be excused if you must leave the table before the others. Place your napkin in the seat of your chair-lightly folded, not wadded.
• The napkin is to be placed on the table to the left of the plate at the end of the meal function (not meal) – lightly folded, not wadded.
• Pace your meal. Never continue to eat long after others have stopped.
• Always use serving utensils to serve yourself, not your silver.