Elegance, Etiquette, and Femininity IV: Table Manners

Hello, one and all! Welcome back to the blog! I hope you’re not getting tired of this series, but if you are, that’s ok! Feel free to browse older posts and choose a different one to read today instead! (-:

Today I will be giving some pointers on table manners, as you probably assumed. (-; These are general guidelines for anyone, not just the one who wants to be a fancy lady. They are simply considerate and respectful rules that everyone should go by. Let’s get right into it!

• Don’t come to the table dirty or smelly. Wash up first to avoid spreading germs!

• Sit up straight, with your feet on the floor and elbows off the table and close to your body. Avoid bothering others by elbowing them or crowding them. Stay in your bubble!

• Wait until everyone has their food/the prayer has been said before you start eating.

• Take small -or average-sized- bites, and chew with your mouth closed. Also, do not speak while your mouth is full! No one wants to see the food in your mouth or be spit on!

• Do not have your phone at the table. Don’t use it at the table, don’t have it sitting on the table, don’t get up to check it while you’re at the table. You can take a break from it while you sit and eat and enjoy the presence of those you’re dining with. Generally, it is rude to have your phone out at the table, unless perhaps you get an important phone call or you’re catching up with a friend and want to show them a photo or something important or relevant like that. But no messaging, no gaming, and no social media at the table!

• Do not burp loudly or with your mouth open, and if you do burp audibly say “excuse me;” be as discreet as possible.

• Do not speak loudly or raise your voice.

• Do not leave the table before others are finished. Stay with them until they are done, at least as long as time allows.

• Do not talk across anyone. Include the person next to you, or wait for a better opportunity to talk to the person a couple seats down.

• Include everyone in conversation, and avoid topics that would make others uncomfortable. Do not talk or joke about disturbing or disgusting things, such as rodents and bugs, blood, getting sick, bathroom topics, garbage, what the meat on your plate once was, etc.

• Don’t wear a hat if you’re a guy.

• Don’t stand on your chair, crawl under the table, have your feet on the table, or rest your head on the table.

• Don’t feed a dog from the table. (Wait until after dinner to give the dogs your scraps.)

• Don’t let your dog in the dining room/kitchen if you have guests over. Your visitors may not care if he’s around, but either way, it’s best to keep him out of the room until the meal is over.

• Do not sing at the table -unless it’s the birthday song if it’s someone’s birthday. (-;

• Do not slurp your beverage or soup or anything.

• Do not lick your fingers or your plate.

• Use your utensils when appropriate; don’t use your fingers unless it’s a common finger food.

• Keep your face clean throughout the meal; use your napkin!

• Place your cloth napkin in your lap.

• Do not bring toys or other objects to the table or have them out during the meal.

• Don’t complain about the food; instead, thank the cook for the meal, even if you aren’t a fan.

• Eat what is served. Try anything you’ve never tasted, and eat what you can of what you don’t like as well.

• Do not spit anything out into a napkin or set anything on your plate that’s been in your mouth. If you need to get some fat or bone out, discreetly get it into a napkin and keep it out of sight.

• Place any dental appliances (retainers, rubber bands, etc.) in a container or napkin and be sure they’re out of sight.

• Do not watch television while you’re at the table. Avoid staring at a screen even at a restaurant where there are many around you, unless you and your friends go specifically to watch a game. Do not give your child an Ipad at the table, either.

• Clear your place/trash after eating at home, a fast food restaurant, or social event. Offer to help clear the table if you’re a guest at someone’s home.

• Push your chair in upon leaving.

Follow these guidelines to be a respectful, well-mannered human being and pleasant company! I believe most of us -even I- can do a better job about being thoughtful of others even in the smallest, simplest ways, like many of the ways mentioned above. Let me know in a comment if I missed anything! Thank you for stopping by! (-: