The True Meaning of ‘Bon Appétit', And Why it's Rude to Say (2024)

You’re an amazing dinner party hostess: You have an eagle eye for drinks that need refreshing (“You were having the Syrah, is that right?”), you keep the charcuterie board stocked in case the cheddar’s running low, and your master bathroom is officially a coat check.

Yep, you’ve got this whole entertaining thing down to a science—except, you may be starting off the main event all wrong. Here’s why.

According to etiquette expert and Plaza Hotel finishing school teacher Myka Meier, you shouldn’t be wishing guests “bon appétit” before they dig in. Wait, what?!

Apparently, Meier, who’s also the official etiquette partner for Downton Abbey (casual), says the French phrase is actually highly impolite. Supposedly, it is equivalent to "good digestion," which would be improper...because bringing up someone’s bowels at the dinner table is off-limits. (Who knew?)

The True Meaning of ‘Bon Appétit', And Why it's Rude to Say (2024)
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