I recently attended an etiquette dinner at Montgomery College, and I wanted to share a few helpful takeaways—especially for situations like networking lunches or working interviews.

The meal was prepared by the hospitality school with assistance from the operations managers. It was served at the Rockville campus in the faculty lounge. Students and staff from several locations.

One thing I learned is to pay attention to what others are ordering and try to stay within a similar price range. It helps you come across as thoughtful and aware of the setting.

There was also a simple trick called “BMW” to remember table settings:

– Bread plate is on the left
– Meal (main plate) is in the center
– Water glass is on the right

Another important tip is how to signal that you’re finished eating: place your fork and knife parallel to each other on the plate. It’s a small detail, but it shows awareness of dining etiquette.

Overall, the experience was really helpful in understanding how to feel more confident and polished in professional dining settings.

Hope these tips are useful!

From a non-credit Montgomery College Student