Top 10 Table Manners

As you are aware our 4-H Agent Shea Ann DeJarnette is a certified Emily Post Institute Trainer.  Every once in awhile she sees something that our families might like and are just a gentle reminder of easily practiced good manners in the world around us.  Recently she found an article from the EP Institute on the top table manners.  Take a look and see if these might apply in your home too.

Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more Etiquette Today: Top Table Manners Here's a quick guide to our top table manners tips. Feb 5   READ IN APP   Photo by Jesse Vigil on Unsplash Top Table Manners Tips Table manners have evolved over centuries to make eating with others more pleasant and sociable. The more we use good table manners when we dine with others, the more we, and our dining partners, can focus on the conversation and enjoy our time together at the meal. Here are some of the most basic, but oh-so-important, table manners to keep in mind as you eat. Keep your phone out of the meal Your phone should be silenced and put away during the meal. It’s okay if your host invites you to take a picture of the table or your plate to do so before you begin dining. Absent that, your phone should not be at the table. You want to keep your focus on the people you are with, and a phone will only be a distraction. If you are in a situation like having a loved one in the hospital or a child at home with a fever, it’s okay to keep your phone on vibrate and let the group you’re dining with know you may need to take a call because of this. But step away from the table if that emergency call comes in. Put your napkin in your lap and then use it Place your napkin in your lap as soon as you sit down for the meal. Remember to use it throughout the meal. Your napkin is there to help you clean up little messes and to keep you and your appearance tidy while dining with others. It’s a great tool, don’t overlook it! Maintain your posture Avoid slouching at the table; you don’t want it to look like you’re too tired to participate. Instead, sit up straight and keep your head level when talking with others. Obviously, you’ll have to look down at your plate, and that’s okay. Avoid placing your elbows on the table while eating. It is okay to prop your elbows on the table while conversing between courses or once the meal is finished, and always has been, even in Emily’s day. Hold utensils correctly Holding your utensils correctly is not only elegant but also helps you maintain the best control over them, so accidents don’t happen. Don’t use your fork or spoon like a shovel. And don’t grip your fork full-fisted and stab your food. Instead, when cutting, hold your fork and knife with the handle in your palm, and use your thumb, index, and middle fingers to grip just at the neck where the handle joins the head of the utensil. This will give you the most control and dexterity with your utensils. When using your fork or spoon alone, the handle rests in the web (perlicue) of your thumb and index finger with your middle finger underneath the neck of the implement, and the thumb and index fingers holding the same spot from either side. Chew with your mouth closed It’s incredibly important not to gross out others while we dine with them. And chewed-up food being seen, or worse, escaping your mouth, is definitely gross to most people. Keep your mouth closed while there is food or drink in it. This also means no talking with your mouth full. If you have a condition that prevents you from closing your mouth while you chew, do your best to cover your mouth with your hand or a napkin. If someone asks you a question when you’ve just taken a bite, you can gesture with your hand (usually index finger up) to convey you will answer in “just a moment” while you finish chewing and then swallow before you speak. Don’t groom or attend to hygiene at the table Brushing your hair, applying makeup, and doing things like picking at your teeth should all be done in the restroom, not at the table. Do not pass gas at the table While a small burp, kept silent, can sometimes be done at the table by covering your mouth with your napkin and not taking a gasp of air before or after it, any other passing of gas should be done away from the table. Excuse yourself to the nearest restroom. Pace yourself with fellow diners Avoid rushing through your meal. Take bites while others are talking to you, and then pause while you respond. If you eat quickly, try to slow down so that you don’t finish long before everyone else. While a slow diner shouldn’t be rushed, they can do things like eat while others are talking to help move their meal along. Pay attention to your pacing. Cut only one piece of food at a time It’s best to cut only a piece or two of your food at a time, rather than cutting an entire item up at once and then eating it. Do not slurp your soup or beverages If your soup is too hot, let it cool for a moment before eating it. Otherwise, remember not to slurp it off your spoon. Slurping is an unpleasant noise at the table, whether it’s coming from eating soup or drinking a beverage. Ask for items to be passed to you Do not reach for or grab items on the table; instead, ask that they be passed to you if you need them. Participate well Bring your best self to the table. This is a time to enjoy others’ company, to both listen and share, and to enjoy food together. Be sure to take part in all of that as you dine with others.