Dining Guide / When Things Go Wrong
If You Spill Something
Stay calm, blot with your napkin and quietly ask the staff for help. The less fuss, the better.
Try what you’ve read in questions based on real dining situations. · 6 min
Practice: Using Your NapkinKey Points
- Stay calm. Set the glass upright and keep the spill from spreading.
- Blot it gently with your napkin. Rubbing only spreads the stain.
- Signal a server quietly and ask for help cleaning up, or for a fresh napkin.
- If it reached someone, apologize briefly, and let them or the staff handle their clothing.
Do
- Blot to soak it up
- Let the staff take care of the cleanup
- Apologize briefly to anyone affected
Avoid
- Rubbing the spill
- Exclaiming loudly or apologizing over and over
- Wiping someone else’s clothes yourself
Handy Tip
A soiled napkin can always be replaced. Don’t hesitate to ask, “Could I have a fresh napkin, please?”
Practice in a Lesson
- Using Your Napkin — 6 min · Practice in a Lesson
Read next
Sources
- Emily Post Institute, “Top Questions for Dining Out” — Finished-position signals, dropped utensils, inedible items and spills.