In today's society, table manners have become an important criterion for evaluating service quality, particularly in the hotel catering industry. This is due to the rising expectations of customers for high-quality service. In order to cope with this trend, the Institute held a seminar

on table manners and table service etiquette training on April 30, 2024. We are honored to have Dr. Simon Thompson, a professor and

program director of the Swiss Hotel Management School, join us as our guest speaker for this lecture. Dr. Thompson provided our students

and teachers with a hands-on training program based on his substantial expertise and practical experience in hotel administration.

Group photos of Dr. Simon Thompson, faculty teachers and staffs

During the seminar, Dr Thompson explained in detail the various aspects of table manners, such as correct sitting posture, the use of cutlery,

the order of food tasting, and so on, while also emphasizing the importance of table service etiquette, such as warm and considerate service, meticulous observation, and timely response to customer needs, among other things. The seminar provided participants with a

comprehensive understanding of the practical application of table manners and table service etiquette in hotel services. This was achieved

through the use of engaging teaching methods and case studies. Furthermore, participants were taught how to apply this information in a

flexible way to improve service quality in real-world employment.

It is worth mentioning that this seminar also explored the integration of modern technology and table manners. With the development of

technology, customers' needs for service are constantly changing. By learning how to apply modern technology to table manners, participants were able to better understand the needs and expectations of customers and provide them with more professional and considerate services, which not only help to enhance their professionalism and competitiveness, but also create more development opportunities for them in their future careers.

Students demonstrated a high level of engagement during the seminar

During the Q&A session, Dr. Thompson stated that table manners are an essential part of the hospitality industry. The seminar aimed to equip participants with the fundamental knowledge and skills of table manners, thereby enhancing service quality and enhancing the dining

experience for clients.

The launch of this training seminar on table manners and table service etiquette is one of FITM's major steps in actively responding to market developments and improving teaching quality. In the future, FITM will continue to pay attention to the development trend of the hospitality

industry and changes in customer demand, as well as create more targeted and practical training courses, in order to pave a more solid path

for the employment prospects of students.

Student reflection

HAN YIFEI

Bachelor of International Tourism and Hotel Management (English Program) Year 1 student

After attending this training seminar on table manners and table service etiquette, I have gained a deeper understanding of and respect for

the Western table manners culture. To begin, by setting the tableware myself and under the guidance of the instructor, I learned the proper

technique to place the tableware and table manners. Throughout this process, I have come to realize that every element of table manners

indicates respect for both others and me. The proper arrangement of tableware is not only a demonstration of respect for food but also a

manifestation of the pursuit of quality of life.

Additionally, the Q&A session was a highlight of the seminar. This session not only deepened students' understanding of the content of the

seminar but also effectively answered their questions. This kind of interaction made the whole training process more lively and interesting,

and at the same time, it improved our learning efficiency and participation.

LI YANZE

Master of International Hospitality and Tourism Management (English Program) Year 2 student

I participated in a series of quality training and improvement activities organized by the FITM. I have gained a lot of knowledge, including the use of tableware, dish matching, and table manners in different countries. Through this study, we can better adapt to the future development

trend of the hotel catering industry and provide more professional and intimate services for hotel customers. It will also help to improve our

future career development competitiveness.

LI YIJING

Master of International Hotel Management (Chinese Program) Year 2 student

I am grateful for the opportunity to attend the table manners seminar. As a hotel management student, I gained valuable practical knowledge and table etiquette skills from this seminar. I was more pleased with this seminar because it combined professional information with hands-on physical operations. More importantly, demonstrating proper table manners entails respecting others, as well as appreciating and embracing table manners from many cultures and areas.

In conclusion, this seminar has tremendously benefited me, and I intend to engage in such themed lectures on professional knowledge in the future to elevate my professional level.