ETIQUETTE: HOW TO POLITELY EXCUSE YOURSELF FROM THE TABLE

When excusing yourself from the table, how you interact with your napkin is key. In this video, you’ll see that I present two different scenarios. In the first, I quickly rise from my chair and crumple my napkin in my hands before tossing it onto the table. This action looks hurried, unorganized, and impolite—not how you want to act during a formal dinner, or really any dinner for that matter! 

In the second scenario, I take my time to rise from my chair, making eye contact with my guests, and excusing myself. I gently drape my napkin across the arm of my chair without any crumpling or excessive folding. This action is refined and elegant. 

I hope you keep this simple rule in mind the next time you are out to dinner and need to excuse yourself!