Irish Table Manners

In terms of diet, I am not very interested in spicy dishes; I also don’t like eating juicy dishes. Smoking at the dinner table is considered rude. The Irish have a weak sense of time. Below I have compiled some information about Irish table manners for you, I hope it can help you!

Irish table manners

If you are invited to be a guest in an Irish home , you can bring some flowers or chocolates. If you are invited to a meal, a bottle of wine, a bouquet of flowers, some chocolate candies or cheese are all suitable gifts. It is unusual to give gifts in official interactions.

Tableware

Almost all Irish homes will have a dining table and chairs used for daily meals. If time permits, most families will place tableware in advance before each meal for the convenience of meals, including knives, forks, spoons, placemats, salt, pepper, sugar, milk, water, juice, etc. Place settings vary for breakfast, lunch, dinner and meals, and placemats are positioned to indicate that guests will be seated immediately.

In addition, the dining table will be decorated exquisitely and gorgeously, with tablecloths, placemats, napkins, tableware for various dishes, bread plates, salad plates, red wine glasses, water glasses, and central table decorations. , like candles, illustrations, etc. On major festive occasions and anniversaries, such as statutory holidays such as Christmas, New Year's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, bank holidays, or important moments such as family members' weddings, baptisms, birthday parties, anniversaries, etc., Irish family members will gather together to have a family dinner, which is very enjoyable and lively for a while. A well-prepared family dinner usually includes at least three meals, a starter, a main course, a dessert, a cheese platter, coffee or tea, and red wine. The main course is usually a carefully prepared fish or meat dish, accompanied by a variety of vegetables and fresh potatoes (fried, grilled, baked, French fries, mashed potatoes, etc.) and sauces. Table manners evolved from the spirit of chivalry. After centuries of inspiration and standardization, to this day, although the etiquette habits handed down are no longer as cumbersome and strict as they were in the imperial era, school-age children are still expected to perform table manners at the table. Be elegant and well-dressed. During meals, leaving your seat without permission, walking around or even standing on a chair is absolutely not allowed.

Most of the Irish people believe in Roman Catholicism, and a few people believe in Protestantism. Taboos: 13th and Friday. They view "13" and "Friday" as depressing numbers and dates. Most people have a belief that if they do something on the 13th or on a Friday, misfortune is likely to happen, or a disaster will befall them.

The Irish are taboo about shaking hands crosswise or talking to several people at the same time. They think these are rude and impolite. They are taboo about seeing a single magpie. It is believed that if you see a single magpie, something bad will happen to you. But if you see two magpies at the same time, it indicates that something happy is coming for you. They do not want others to ask about their whereabouts, salary, age and marital status. They believe that these belong to the category of personal private life and do not require the intervention and interference of others. They generally focus on efficiency issues. Get used to the idea that work is work, and when you take a break, you don’t want to work. Therefore, they do not like to discuss business matters during breaks or meals.

The Irish are not very interested in spicy dishes; they also don’t like to eat juicy dishes. Smoking at the dinner table is considered rude.