American Table Manners Table manners are different in different countries．What is polite in China may not be polite in the Unite States．These basic rules will help you enjoy western food with your American friends．
When you sit down at the table，always put the napkin on your lap first．
When eatingsomething in a bowl，do not leave the spoon in the bowl．Put it on the plateunder the bowl．When you have had your meal，place your knife and fork on theside of your plate．
During the meal，the hostess will offer you a second helping of food．Sometimes she will ask youto help yourself．When she offers you food，give her a direct answer．If you refuse the first time，she might not ask you again．
At the table，ask others to pass you dishes that are out of your reach．Good expressions to know are：“Please pass me the…”or“Could you hand me the-please？”
The best way to learn good manners is to watch others．Observe （观察） the way your western friends eat．This is the best way to avoid making mistakes when you are unsure of what to do．
| The Basic Rules of Table Manners in America |
| Before the meal | You should put the napkin on your（73） first． |
| During the meal | ★If the hostess offers you food，you'd better answer her（74） ．She might ask you just once．
★You can ask others for help when the dishes are（75） your reach． |
| After the meal | ★After you have the meal，you should put the（76） on t he side of your plate． |
| The best way | ★If you don't know how to behave well at table，just（77） ．It works well． |