I teach dining etiquette to Americans. Many people miss the basics — here are the most common mistakes I see.

• Jayne Withers teaches classes about dining etiquette to both children and adults in Florida.
• She learned about etiquette while studying at Cambridge University.
• The most common mistakes she sees are missing the "please and thank you" and eating too quickly.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Jayne Withers, an etiquette consultant from the UK who hosts classes in Florida. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I became an etiquette consultant in 2021 because when I see what I call "another Jayne," I want to help them.

I was always that kid who was a little bit out of place. Learning etiquette when I started at Cambridge University transformed my life.