Cutlery

Cutlery be it made of a precious metal, the cool surgical cleanliness of stainless steel or for those of you living day by day a piece of plastic or recycled wood that contains only god knows how many carcinogens. Cutlery is something that you can find on every table unless you find yourself at some less than savory location and forced to use your hands or find yourself hooked up to a series of medical pumps and hoses being artificially fed.

Regardless of how you might think to use your cutlery when available, there are rules of etiquette that you should be aware of.

Hold the knife in your dominate hand, the fork in the other with the tines facing down.

Cut your food into small delicate bit sized portions.

Gently push the cut piece towards the fork with your knife and delicately press the food onto the tines of the fork.

Do not lean over your plate, but rather, sitting straight, lift the fork to your mouth, carefully inserting the fork in without clicking or scraping your teeth.

Bite the food, gently and chew slowly and quietly with your mouth closed and swallow without making exaggerated sounds.

Of course as a lady there are other considerations to consider. Least of all being polite and courteous by not leaving lipstick on the cutlery or linen napkins.

First a lady should prepare her lips by exfoliating them to remove dead skin cells.

Considering using lip liner matching your lipstick shade to fill your lips before applying lipstick, creating a base that helps the color adhere better.

Use a primer to create a base which will help to prevent transfer.

Using a high quality product, one that is smudge-proof, a long-lasting lipstick formulas, like matte or lip stains, to improve wear time.

Apply your lipstick in thin layers, to build color and enhance the appearance while decreasing the chance of transfer.

After applying lipstick consider using a translucent powder as this too will help prevent transfer.

When eating take smaller bites than a boy might. Use the fork or spoon to slide the food into your mouth.

Avoid oily foods as they break down lipstick.

Drink with a straw if possible if your venue allows it. Otherwise gently dab your lips before drinking and between courses.

Always carry a compact and lipstick for any needed touch-ups. Though do this discretely. Excuse yourself to the toilet.

Doing these things will allow you to enjoy your dinner and keep looking your best through the evening.

And after the meal, when somewhere private, worry not about smudging your lipstick, it is to be expected.