General social and dining etiquette rules:
Arrive at least 10 minutes early unless otherwise specified. I try to always arrive early.
Butter, spreads, or dips should be transferred from the Serving dish to your plate before spreading or eating. Do they mean to transfer the whole pat of butter to your own dish?
Seasoning it. It depends on the situation.
Pass food from the left to the right. I never knew this
Always say please when asking for something (should be common sense). Be sure to say thank you to your server and bus boy after they have removed any used items.
If asked for the salt or pepper, pass both together, even if a table mate asks for only one of them. This is so dinner guests won’t have to search for orphaned shakers. This is a good idea. I never thought of it (orphaned shakers)
Set any passed item, whether it’s the salt and pepper shakers, a bread basket, or a butter plate, directly on the table instead of passing hand-to-hand. It actually sounds rude to place it on the table, instead of someones hand?
Never intercept a pass. Snagging a roll out of the breadbasket or taking a shake of salt when it is en route to someone else is a no-no. I violate this rule with the salt sometimes.
Food is served from the left. Dishes are removed from the right. I had no idea.
Butter, spreads, or dips should be transferred from the serving dish to your plate before spreading or eating. Do they mean to transfer the whole pat of butter to your own dish?
Never turn a wine glass upside down to decline wine. It is more polite to let the wine be poured and not draw attention. Otherwise, hold your hand over the wine glass to signal that you don’t want any wine. I never saw anybody turn their glass upside down.
Always scoop food away from you. I never thought of this.
Taste your food before
Do try a little of everything on your plate. Unless you specifically ask not to receive something (my mom is famous for this)
Don’t blow on your food to cool it off. If it is too hot to eat, take the hint and wait. Always a good idea.
Keep elbows off the table. Keep your left hand in your lap unless you are using it. I am guilty of this.
Do not talk with your mouth full. Chew with your mouth closed. It’s hard to believe, but people still do this.
Cut only enough food for the next mouthful. Eat in small bites and slowly. A good idea. Also helps with dieting.
Don’t clean up spills with your own napkin and don’t touch items that have dropped on the floor. You can use your napkin to protect yourself from spills. Then, simply and politely ask your server to clean up and to bring you a replacement for the soiled napkin or dirty utensil.
Do not blow your nose at the dinner table. Excuse yourself to visit the restroom. Wash your hands before returning to the dining room. If you cough, cover your mouth with your napkin to stop the spread of germs and muffle the noise. If your cough becomes unmanageable, excuse yourself to visit the restroom. Wash your hands before returning to the dining room. Should be common sense, unless you were raised by wolves.
Turn off your cell phone or switch it to silent or vibrate mode before sitting down to eat, and leave it in your pocket or purse. It is impolite to answer a phone during dinner. If you must make or take a call, excuse yourself from the table and step outside of the restaurant. WOW! I see so many people, who are guilty of this. I often leave my phone in the car when going to dinner.
Do not use a toothpick or apply makeup at the table.
Whenever a woman leaves the table or returns to sit, all men seated with her should stand up.
Do not push your dishes away from you or stack them for the waiter when you are finished. Leave plates and glasses where they are.
Proper tipping etiquette in a restaurant:
At a restaurant, always leave a tip. Tips can vary from 15% to 25%. Remember that the amount you tip reflects the Waiter:15% to 20% of the bill; 25% for extraordinary service 15% of wine bill 10% to 15% of bar bill $1.00 per coat $2.00 to $5.00 total price before any coupons, gift certificates, etc.
Servers should never ask (do you need any change?).
Just because you get a discount, does not mean that your server did not serve up the full order.
Dividing or sharing the restaurant bill with others:
Always assume that if you’re dining in a group of more than 6 people (3 couples), that the check is going to be divided evenly among everyone.
Beverage total to take this into account and don’t overcharge the non-drinkers.
When dining with other couples, If you know you’re going to ask for a separate check, tell the server before you order so that the process is simplified later.
Take into account any significant ($15 or more) price differences in orders. If someone only orders soup and everyone else orders 2 to 3 courses, it’s not fair to make them pay the same.
If there are a couple people not drinking alcohol while the rest of the group is, separate the:
Wine steward: 15% of the bill
Bartender: 10-15% of the bill
Coat check: $1.00 per coat
Car attendant: $2-5.00
These great tips and many more are available on: http://whatscookingamerica.net/Menu/DiningEtiquetteGuide.htm
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Harry and David
The old Standard, 
Another option to brighten up a holiday function is 