Five table manners you may not have considered
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Most of us know about mealtime manner basics like placing our napkins in our laps, but there are some other basic table manners we may not be considering. Here is a list of five table manner suggestions and why it makes sense to adopt them (not just "because Mom says so"):
1. Wipe your mouth before and after drinking. Wiping before drinking prevents pieces of food from getting in your drink and greasy lip stains on your glass. Wiping after drinking prevents milk mustaches.
2. Refrain from answering the phone or attending to other non-pressing interruptions. While it's okay to grab the phone if Aunt Martha is on life support and you're waiting for the dreaded call, it's generally not a good idea to interrupt a meal to answer the phone or attend to the dryer buzzer. Meals are social events. Use this time to connect with the people at the table. Besides, someone (maybe you) went to the trouble of making the food in front of you. It would be rude to let it get cold.
3. Don't talk with food in your mouth. Not only is it gross to show off the partially chewed contents of your mouth to your dining partners, talking with food in your mouth also increases your chances of choking.
4. Compliment the chef. Okay, so burned meatloaf isn't exactly your idea of gourmet, but there is always something about a meal you can appreciate. Maybe the peas are on point tonight, or the wine happens to be your favorite varietal. Vocalize your thanks.
5. Wipe your hands after grabbing food with your hands. While you're using your best manners and using your fork and knife whenever possible, you may have just grabbed a buttery biscuit with your hands. Now you drink from your glass or grab the salt shaker. Oops. You forgot to wipe your hands. Now there are greasy fingerprints everywhere. Yuck. No one wants to grab a salt shaker with greasy fingerprints on it (especially ones that aren't their own)!
Table manners, like all other types of manners, are usually observed for a practical reason. When teaching kids (and adults alike) manners like the ones listed above, remember to tell the person why they're important. Chances are, they'll be more likely to observe the manners if they understand the reason behind them.
We all witness bad manners that bug us!
What's your bad table manner pet peeve?
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Thanks for commenting, Maddie. My parents, too, care deeply about table manners. I can remember thinking it was excessive when I was growing up. Now, as an adult, it's nice to know what to do in formal settings (or even just at home)!
My mother was very concerned about etiquette and when my daughters were 10 and 12, she actually hired a person who was trained to teach them table etiquette and what table settings were appropriate for each meal. They are now in their 30's and still remember their lessons and a grandmother who wanted them to feel confident in social situations.
Thanks, puter_dr. I think you hit the nail on the head in terms of manners helping one to "feel confident in social situations."
I enjoyed the poll, too! Recently, my partner started eating before the hostess lifted her fork (at a dinner with my great aunts, no less!), and I was scandalized. So one of those poll options caught my eye. I bet you can guess which one. ;)
Ha, Maddie! "Scandalized." Too funny. (Or maybe not. ;))
Maddie Ruud Level 5 Commenter 3 months ago
I was raised by a mother who cares deeply about table manners, but it never hurts to have a reminder.