Eating Out and at Home

• Sit in appropriate lighting where possible.
• Familiarise yourself with the table layout before drinks have been poured. Most table settings in restaurants are standard so it might help to practise at home.
• When reaching for a glass keep your hand low to the table and slowly move towards the glass with thumb and forefinger splayed.
• When ordering food, ask to have meat removed from the bone and/or cut if necessary.
• Ask others to use the clock face method to describe where food is placed on the plate, e.g. meat is between 2 and 6 o'clock.
• To help keep your clothes clean, use a napkin, placing it in your collar if necessary. Bring your own napkin so that the colour blends with the blouse or shirt you are wearing.
• Keep a ‘moist wipe’ in your pocket to clean your hands.
• Take your time.
• Ask for assistance when required.
• Consider using contrasting plates, cutlery, place mats etc.
• If there is a problem with food falling off the plate, consider using a plate with a lip on it or a plate surround that clips around the edge of a circular plate and helps keep food on the plate. The latter are available from NCBI's shop.

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