Have your Irish relatives invited you over for dinner?
Are you wondering what to expect when having dinner with Irish relatives?
Worry not! We will today share with you some of the basic and general etiquettes which you should follow and expect from your hosts as well. Once you go through this guide, having dinner with your Irish relatives will not be an awkward experience for you.
1. Conform to the timings lightly.
Say you have a dinner invite for 9 PM. When would you arrive?
Instead of reaching precisely at 9 PM, it is better to arrive 15 minutes late. If you reach at 9 PM, you are likely to find your relatives still setting up things or getting ready. That is why you have to stick to the timings a bit lightly. Fifteen minutes after the scheduled time is an excellent time to reach.
2. Contribute to the beer collection of your host.
No, we are not asking you to carry a pack of beers when you’re going to a restaurant. This step is only applicable when you’re invited for dinner at Irish home.
Irish love beer. That is why an excellent gift to carry when you’re heading for dinner to Irish households is a pack of beers. In the Irish culture, it is expected that you might contribute something to the dinner when it is organized at home. The pack of beers is a versatile and easy way to conform to this custom.
3. Toast accompanies beer.
An Irish dinner is not complete without the beer. However, beer never goes without a toast. That is why, instead of directly gulping down beer when you’re served one, it is a good idea to wait for the toast.
4. Proper food passing etiquette.
Did you know that Irish have an appropriate way of passing food around?
It is a good idea to pass all dishes to your left. That is the basic Irish dinner custom that you can stick to.
5. Impeccable seating system.
When you’re having dinner with your Irish relatives, the most privileged position is the head of the table. The most important guests will be to the left 1st and then to the right of the head of the table. If a couple is hosting the dinner, then one spouse will be at the head of the table and another one directly opposite him/her at the other end.
Are you confused about where you should sit?
Worry not! Instead of trying to choose your position yourself, it is a better idea to let your host do that for you. You have to wait for a few seconds, and someone will surely guide you to your seat. Irish people follow a proper seating system, and that is why rushing to your seat is not advisable.
6. Completing your meal is considered polite.
Having leftovers on your plate after the dinner is deemed to be rude. That is why, whether you’re going to a restaurant or a private home for dinner with your Irish relatives, it is better to complete whatever is on your plate.
7. Do not say no to a drink.
Simply put, if you refuse a drink, it is considered a rude gesture. That is why having at least a single drink (whichever you prefer) is the way to go about it.
8. Hosts expect some gratitude.
Whether you’re going for a dinner with your Irish relatives at a restaurant or home, it is always a good idea to thank them at the end of the dinner and send them a thank you text message the next day. Hosts do expect some gratitude. On your part as well, you will come along as a courteous and respectful guest.
So, now that you’re aware of most Irish dinner etiquettes, that dinner with your Irish relatives will certainly not be awkward. You are well prepared for it. It is time to enjoy the experience rather than worry about embarrassing yourself or others when you go to dine with your Irish relatives.