Table Manners & Drinking

  • Danes would drink only after the host has made his welcome speech and said “skål”.
  • Danes would drink champagne from flute glasses.
  • Danes would serve plenty of mineral or still water with dinner.
  • Danes would set the dinner plates prior to the dinner. Plates are seen as part of the table decoration.
  • Danes would put the dessert spoon at the top of the plate.
  • Danes would spread bread with butter using their own bread and butter knife if they have one. They
    would take as much butter as needed for one piece of bread.
  • Danes would butter their “smørrebrød” on the side plate, then put it on the main plate and eat their open sandwiches with a knife and fork.
  • Danes would take food several times at a buffet table rather than overfilling their plates.
  • Danes would eat rye bread with herring and the cold cuts, and white bread with salmon, shrimp and cheese.
  • Danes would continue with the same fish plate until they have finished eating herring and other fish, and then take a new plate.
  • Danes would remember to thank the hostess for the meal immediately after rising.