Learning British table manners and dining customs

Everyday English Conversations

A printable worksheet for conversation-based English lessons.

Difficulty: Intermediate B1

PDF: Learning British table manners and dining customs

Warm-up

Have you ever been to a dinner party? (Yes, I have. I went to...)

Vocabulary Match

host •• welcome
switch •• organiser
greet •• swap
conversation •• comfortable
natural •• discussion
polite •• respectful

Vocabulary Answers

hostorganiser
switchswap
greetwelcome
conversationdiscussion
naturalcomfortable
politerespectful

Conversation

Fill in the blanks with words from above.

Lina asks Jack for advice on British table manners before attending a dinner party. He shares useful tips on dining etiquette and polite behavior.
Lina:Hi, Jack! I've been invited to a dinner party this weekend. Any tips on British table manners?
Jack:Hi, Lina! Sure. First, when you arrive, ________ the ________ and maybe bring a small gift, like a bottle of wine or flowers.
Lina:Oh, that's a good idea. What about at the table?
Jack:When you sit down, don't start eating until everyone has their food and the host says, "Let's start" or something like that.
Lina:Got it. And is there anything specific about how to eat?
Jack:Not really. Just eat with your knife and fork if it's that kind of meal. You don't have to ________ hands like some people say. Just use what feels ________.
Lina:What about talking during the meal?
Jack:That's fine! Just try not to talk with your mouth full, and keep the ________ light—like asking about their day or the food.
Lina:Makes sense. What should I do if I don't like the food?
Jack:Try to eat a little and say something ________, like, "It's lovely, but I'm full." No need to explain too much.
Lina:That's helpful! Anything else?
Jack:Yeah, at the end, thank the host and maybe offer to help clear the table. It's polite, even if they say no.
Lina:Thanks, Jack. This helps a lot!
Jack:No problem, Lina. Enjoy the dinner party!
Lina:Hi, Jack! I've been invited to a dinner party this weekend. Any tips on British table manners?
Jack:Hi, Lina! Sure. First, when you arrive, greet the host and maybe bring a small gift, like a bottle of wine or flowers.
Lina:Oh, that's a good idea. What about at the table?
Jack:When you sit down, don't start eating until everyone has their food and the host says, "Let's start" or something like that.
Lina:Got it. And is there anything specific about how to eat?
Jack:Not really. Just eat with your knife and fork if it's that kind of meal. You don't have to switch hands like some people say. Just use what feels natural.
Lina:What about talking during the meal?
Jack:That's fine! Just try not to talk with your mouth full, and keep the conversation light—like asking about their day or the food.
Lina:Makes sense. What should I do if I don't like the food?
Jack:Try to eat a little and say something polite, like, "It's lovely, but I'm full." No need to explain too much.
Lina:That's helpful! Anything else?
Jack:Yeah, at the end, thank the host and maybe offer to help clear the table. It's polite, even if they say no.
Lina:Thanks, Jack. This helps a lot!
Jack:No problem, Lina. Enjoy the dinner party!

Quiz

  1. What should you bring when you greet the host?
  2. When can you start eating at the table?
  3. What should you say if you don't like the food?

Quiz Answers (examples)

  1. A small gift, like a bottle of wine or flowers.
  2. When everyone has their food and the host says, "Let's start."
  3. "It's lovely, but I'm full."

True or False

  1. Lina should bring a small gift, like a bottle of flowers. T F
  2. Jack says you should switch hands when eating. T F
  3. It's polite to help clear the table at the end. T F

True or False Answers

  1. False
  2. False
  3. True

Discussion

  1. Do you enjoy dinner parties? Why or why not?
  2. Do you like to talk during meals?
  3. What would you bring as a gift to a host?
  4. Do you prefer eating with a fork or chopsticks?

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