Hoping to stage a romantic Valentine's Day dinner? Avoid fussy food

By Nina C. Zimmermann Feb 9, 2012, 3:06 GMT

Berlin - A romantic candlelight dinner provides an ideal opportunity for a man to show a woman his affection. Then this happens: a noodle hangs on his upper lip and she can't get the image out of her head.

Etiquette trainer Lis Droste has a few tips to help people avoid such situations. To start with, order food that isn't messy - nothing that requires a lot of fuss, smells strong or causes gas, says Droste, a member of a gastronomy academy in Frankfurt. Spaghetti, for example, can be dangerous because it's impossible to judge the length of a noodle and even harder to get the whole thing onto the fork and in the mouth, Droste said. Spinach creates another hazard; a bit of it could get stuck on the teeth.

'Salad also can be hard to eat. Long leaves found in endive and rocket can be unwieldy on the plate and make the person eating it look sloppy,' she said. Chicken legs also are not recommended because getting the meat off the bone using a fork and knife requires a bit of skill.

When your date insists you try the lobster, escargot or artichokes, but you don't know how the food should be eaten, it's best to be honest and admit it. It's alright to tell your date that it's OK if they show you how. The worst thing to do is to look around at the other guests to see what they are doing. Droste said they might be eating it the wrong way. In a fine restaurant the best option is to ask a waiter. They are usually well-trained and happy to share their knowledge.

If a bit of sauce does drip on your blouse or shirt, Droste advises taking emergency action. Well-prepared women carry a hanky or scarf in their purse and can use either one to cover the spot. If it happens to a man, he can use a hanky or wet wipe to remove the spot. Both fit easily in the pocket of a pants or jacket.

'Don't remove the spot while sitting at the table,' said Droste. 'Excuse yourself and go out of the room briefly to take care of it.'