It’s not fancy, it’s just etiquette.

Bread Etiquette: Pass it to the Right or Left?

Not only will you guarantee that anyone seated at your table will have their share of bread, but your Passing Bread Etiquette you will make your proud for knowing an important social etiquette skill that will serve you well socially and professionally.

Serve Others First

If you are the first person to reach for a bread basket or plate, remember to serve yourself last! Yes, I said last. It’s far more courteous to pass the bread to your neighbor than it is for you to indulge first. Why? When we gather around a table to share a meal with others, it’s just that- a sharing process. By taking a piece for yourself without thinking if others might like a piece too, can come across  as self-serving.

Passing Bread to the Right or to the Left?

The first step is to reach in for the bread and happily pass it to the person on your right. If there’s not a person to your right, common sense will tell you to look across your table or to your left. Obviously, if you are dining alone then by all means serve yourself.

What about Butter?

If individual butter dishes aren’t provided,  pass the shared butter dish to the guest seated to your right side. If there’s not a person to your right, then pass it to the person to your left or perhaps across the table.    

If you are looking for more dining etiquette tips, then I’m positive you will want to read, Which Fork Do I Use? 

Tiffany’s Etiquette Tip: Pass the bread first. Serve yourself last.