10+ Etiquette Secrets That Will Make You Look Effortlessly Regal

True elegance isn’t just about wearing expensive clothes or knowing which fork to use — it’s about the little habits that speak volumes without a word. These timeless etiquette rules are the subtle secrets that can elevate your presence, making you appear effortlessly polished and poised, just like royalty.

1. Shield the lemon with your hand or a spoon when squeezing it.

Lemon juice is one of the most painful things that can end up in someone’s eye. This is why you should use either your one hand or a spoon to create a shield around the lemon.

2. Keep elbows off the table — except between courses.

While eating, your forearms or hands may rest on the edge, but elbows should stay off. During pauses between courses, resting your elbows lightly on the table is acceptable in many modern etiquette circles.

3. Put your napkin on your lap in the shape of a rectangle, not a triangle.

Dinner napkins are usually quite big and this is why the best way to put them on your lap is to fold them in half in the shape of a rectangle. When you’re finished with your meal, don’t fold the napkin back, but instead, leave it on the left side of your plate.

4. Don’t lift your little finger when drinking tea.

When sipping tea, avoid lifting your little finger, even though many people think it’s the appropriate thing to do. Instead, use your index and middle fingers to push the bottom of the cup toward your mouth.

5. Use your left hand when you sneeze or cough, not your right.

6. Fold your hands in your lap when you’re not using them.

Avoid fidgeting with utensils, glasses, or your phone. Keeping your hands calmly folded conveys poise and makes you look effortlessly graceful.

7. Wait for the host to take a seat before you start eating.

8. When someone asks for the salt, pass it along with the pepper.

9. Use your napkin to blot your mouth, not wipe it.

In refined dining, a napkin is meant to gently blot away crumbs or moisture, not to scrub your face. Lightly press the napkin to your lips to maintain a neat appearance and avoid smearing makeup or food.

10. If you invite people to a business lunch, it should be your treat.

11. Don’t stir your tea the wrong way. It should not be clockwise, but rather, south to north.

12. You should always keep your handbag on your left arm.

13. Don’t ask for leftovers at the end of a business dinner.

Mastering these simple yet powerful rules can transform the way others see you, and how you see yourself. Because in the end, true refinement isn’t about pretense — it’s about respect, grace, and confidence in every gesture.