If you thought you knew how how to eat dinner like a posh person, think again. Proper dinner etiquette goes far beyond keeping your elbows off the table or saying "excuse me" after you've burped. Quirky illustrator, Gemma Correll gives us helpful pointers on how to impress even the most particular of dinner hosts with her adorable drawings. Who knows when the Queen of England might need a new companion over for a cuppa?

Lesson 1: When seated at the dinner table, always imagine a cat on your lap and a mouse behind your back. Remember, you wouldn't want poor kitty to fall off or have little Jerry squashed so sit up straight! Slouching at the dinner table is strictly prohibited.

Lesson 2: Salt and pepper should always be passed together, even if someone only asks for either one. They are considered to be 'married' and shouldn't be separated. I bet you didn't know that!



Lesson 3: Never intercept a food pass! For example, if a bread basket is making its way to someone across the table, it would be considered rude to stick your hand in there first to grab one for yourself. You'd just have to wait patiently for them to get their share and have them pass it back to you when they're done.

Lesson 4: I'm pretty sure a lot of us are guilty of this next one; myself included. Do not blow on your soup or food, no matter how piping hot it is. Instead, wait for it to cool or take slow, gentle sips. 

 

 
Lesson 5: Always have a taste of your food before adding any seasoning to it. Assuming that food is under-seasoned even before you've taken your first bite is considered rude. You wouldn't want to hurt your dinner host's feelings, would you?

 
Lesson 6: Last but not least, when finished with your meal, your dinner utensils should always be placed at a diagonal on your plate (imagine the 11 and 5 o'clock points on a clock) This will be a sign to your host or waiter that you're done and your plate can be cleared.

So now you know.