20.8 Dining Etiquette Language

20.8 Dining Etiquette
Language & Culture Lessons
Hey there! Welcome to another exciting Rocket German Platinum Language and Culture lesson. Lately we've been learning how to greet
and farewell people in the right way. It's just a case of knowing the right words, and you're away laughing! Knowing the right words when
you're at a dinner table can also make things a bit easier. So today, we've compiled another chapter for our Rocket German Dictionary.
If you're a visitor to Germany, relax. Sure this lesson is about the 'correct ways to behave', but people are unlikely to take offense if you do
or say something wrong. This lesson is really designed to arm you with phrases and behaviors that will really impress your friends. If you
make an effort to learn their culture, they'll really appreciate it.
Language
The Rocket German-Swiss-Austrian Dictionary
Part 3. Dining Etiquette
Today, we're headed out to a restaurant to treat ourselves to some German cuisine. Eating out is quite popular in Germany and other
German-speaking countries. So, master the following vocabulary and be prepared to order anything from food to drinks to cutlery!
As you arrive at a restaurant, you hear at one end of the room, people raising their wine glasses and saying Zum Wohl! - while at the
other end, people with beer glasses saying Prost! followed by the clicking of glasses. You wonder, what's with all this commotion? After
this lesson, you won't wonder anymore.
GERMAN
ENGLISH
Guten Appetit!
Enjoy your meal! (lit: Good
Appetite)
Zum Wohl!
Cheers! (with wine or
champagne)
Prost!
Cheers! (with beer)
AUSTRIAN
Mahlzeit!
SWISS
An Guatn!
Pröschtli!
As the waiter/waitress approaches your table with a smile, he or she may ask you one of the following questions:
Was möchten Sie trinken?
What would you like to drink?
Darf ich nach schenken?
Would you like me to top up your glass?
Wollen Sie noch etwas Braten?
Would you like some more roast?
Here are some possible answers for the first question above: Was möchten Sie zu trinken?
GERMAN
ENGLISH
AUSTRIAN
das Rotweinglas
Red wine glass
der Bierkrug/ die Maß
Large beer glass
das Krügel
das Kleiner Bier
Small beer glass
der Seidel
das Mineralwasser
Mineral water
I'm sure that some of you have been a little clumsy at times and dropped cutlery at a restaurant. Perhaps the fork slipped out of your
hands... or you knife magically bounced off your meal. Whatever may have happened, it will surely happen again - so here's a list of
vocab just in case you need another fork or knife, or perhaps even a new plate!
das Besteck
Cutlery
die Gabel
Fork
das Messer
Knife
der Löffel
Spoon
die Tasse
Cup
die Serviette
Napkin
der Teller
Plate
der Suppenteller
Soup bowl
Hopefully, you are enjoying your meal, but half-way through, you feel that you want to add some more flavor. Here are your basic
condiments: Salt n' Pepper! and some extra food-vocab:
GERMAN
ENGLISH
AUSTRIAN
das Gewürz
Condiment
das Salz
Salt
der Pfeffer
Pepper
die Tomate
Tomato
der Paradeiser
die Kartoffel
Potato
der Erdäpfel
After your meal, the waiter/waitress comes to your table and asks if you liked the food. You have indeed enjoyed it, and here's how you
can reply:
Das hat aber gut geschmeckt!
This tasted great!
Perhaps you have enjoyed the meal, but it was a bit too spicy for you... or salty. Familiarize yourself with these four basic tastes:
Süß
Sweet
Salzig
Salty
Bitter
Bitter
Scharf
Spicy
Culture
Dining Etiquette and Table Manners
Let's face it, it's pretty easy to mess up and say or do the wrong thing when you're in another culture. Don't worry too much, most
Germans are tolerant and will laugh it off easily. Do make an effort to learn the basic do's and don'ts though, it will make a big different if
you can make a good impression right from the get-go. Here are a few tips that should give you a head start in case you're fortunate
enough to be invited to someone's home.
Flowers: A gift of flowers is always welcome if you're been invited to someone's home. They don't need to be huge and elaborate,
something simple will be appreciated just as much.
Punctuality: Germans are extremely punctual. This can be a right pain for a foreigner with time-management issues! Give yourself
plenty of time to get to your destination and call ahead if you're running late.
Drinking: Beer and wine are a normal part of dinner and you'll be offered some as a guest. If you choose not to drink, that's perfectly
acceptable. Make sure that if you're the one offering, you don't insist on someone having something to drink.
Knife & fork: Cross your knife and fork on your plate to indicate that you're not quite finished with your meal. Place them parallel,
handles pointing toward you to indicate that you've finished.
Thank you: After all is said and done, people really do appreciate a good old 'thank you'. Let your host know how much you enjoyed your
time with them and what a delicious meal they cooked: "Vielen Dank, ich hatte einen schönen Abend und das Essen war
ausgezeichnet.”
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