Spain: Prosperous Entertaining - Part 2
From ExecutivePlanet.com
Home entertaining and dinner etiquette
Invitations to a Spaniard's home are extremely rare and constitute a mark of true friendship. Sometimes an invitation to a Spanish home may be extended only for the sake of politeness and you can feel free to decline; but, if you are invited a second time, it would be most churlish to pass up this rare, privileged opportunity. Because business entertaining ordinarily takes place in bars or restaurants rather than at home, however, you may be invited to a private home for drinks before moving on to dinner in a restaurant.
When you are hosting a meal and would like to include your spouse, you should first extend an invitation to your Spanish contact's spouse. If the spouse agrees to the invitation, then it is permissible to include your own spouse.
Spain follows the traditional European seating arrangement for social events: the host and hostess sit at opposite ends of the table with the male guest of honour seated to the right of the hostess and the female guest of honour placed to the right of the host.
When making a typical toast, the host or hostess simply raises his or her glass and says salud; guests do the same in response.
You should refrain from the American habit of switching your fork to your dominant hand when eating and keep both hands above the table at all times.
You should make an effort to eat everything on your plate, as it is considered bad manners to waste food, and you should accept a second helping only if you are confident that you can finish it.
When you have finished, you should place your knife and fork side by side on the plate. If you leave your utensils crossed or at opposite sides of the plate, it will be assumed that you have not finished and/or want more to eat.
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