How well-mannered are you? Take this test…

Have you always thought of yourself as a very well-mannered person? Well, here’s one way to find out… This quiz by William Hanson, widely regarded as the UK’s freshest and most trusted authority on etiquette and protocol, gives you insights on what’s polite and what’s not. He is also the author of ‘The Bluffer’s Guide to Etiquette’, and regular columnist for Mail Online. So, are you ready to dine at the palace? Let’s find out…

1. When invited to a dinner at 7.30pm at a private house, what time should you arrive?

a) 7.20pm
b) 7.30pm
c) 7.40pm

Answer: C – It is the custom to arrive ten minutes late to social engagement. This allows the host a little breathing space and shows that you aren’t too keen. Showing up early is almost as bad as showing up late says William. Do you agree with this point? In Australia, everyone is expected to be on time.

2. When served as a first course, which is the correct way to eat asparagus?

a) With a knife and fork
b) With just a fork (in the right hand)
c) With the fingers

Answer C – so long as the Hollandaise sauce is not served already poured over the asparagus, this is a finger food. According to William, in the UK, it is picked up and eaten with the left hand.

3. You have returned home from a weekend stay at your friend’s house. Correctly, how long should the thank you letter be?

a) One side
b) Two sides
c) Doesn’t matter so long as there is a thank you letter

Answer B – Although a short thank you letter is better than none at all, traditionally one would write two pages by way of a thank you letter to your hosts. Not two sides of A4, social correspondence paper is roughly what we now call A5 in size.

4. The Duke of Decorum dies. When can his eldest son start using his late father’s title?

a) The moment the Duke dies
b) Once the will has been read
c) When the funeral ends

Answer C – William says that you are not socially dead until after the funeral and it is customary for eldest sons to wait until after this before they style themselves with their new title.

5. When leaving the table during a meal but with every intention of returning, the napkin should be placed where?

a) On the table
b) On the chair
c) On the floor

Answer B – the napkin on the arm or seat of the chair signals to staff and any guests that see it that you will be returning. In formal dining, however, you do not leave the table at all – unless you are the host/cook and you need to return to the kitchen.

6. When dining with The Queen and you notice the Monarch has finished, you should…

a) Finish too, regardless of whether you still have more to eat
b) Quickly finish what you can on your plate
c) Carry on eating until The Queen looks bored

Answer A – Correct protocol means that all diners should stop eating within a few moments of The Monarch. William says that Queen Victoria was a very quick eater and also particularly rude and would not even care if the end of the table hadn’t even been served by the time she had finished – meaning a lot of people went hungry. Our current Queen is also a quick eater but much more considerate to her guests, thankfully! But still, when she stops eating, you stop too!

7. For smart, indoor evening events, open-toed shoes are acceptable. True or false?

a) True
b) False