Rita Reviews

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Basic Table Manners Tips

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Table Manners
Do you know how to act at a dinner table? If your answer is negative, you should read this article carefully.

 Napkin and timing

We all know that napkins are important and while eating food, if you are invited to a dinner, let the host place his napkin on his lap before you do it.

Note: While blotting your lips, use a small area of the napkin.

 Posture is important

How important is your posture? Your posture makes an impression. If you are sitting on the chair hunching your shoulders over the plate, people are definitely noticing it and let me tell you that no one will appreciate it. They will not think whether you are tired or have some back problem; instead they will assume that you do not have good table manners. So, maintain a decent posture throughout the session.

Positioning your elbows

While eating, keep your elbows off the table. However, if you are communicating with someone over the table (keeping your utensils aside), you are given that person an impression that you are listening to him/her carefully. Here, it is important to lean forward (slightly) while keeping your elbows on the table.

Don’t express your hunger

If you are hungry, tell it to yourself but don’t let the host know that you are starving. Showing desperate signs of hunger, you are annoying your host. Note: Smiling and communicating about things can help you hide your signs of hunger.

Removing spoiled food from your mouth

Many people make this mistake. If there is a need to remove spoiled food from your mouth, you should first cover your mouth with one hand. Now, use the other hand to remove the morsel and place it on the table. If possible, cover it with something.

Excuse me!

While eating, avoid visiting the restroom. However, if the need to visit the restroom is urgent, tell your host, “Excuse me, I’ll be back in a moment.” But if you do not know where the restroom is, you should say, “Excuse me, May I visit your restroom?”

Eating

Slurping and smacking are a big no. Avoid it!

Also, with food in your mouth, you should not talk. Eat first and then talk or talk first and then eat.

Keep that in your mind.

Note: You should eat slow and take small bites. 

Don’t be rude

If you do not like it, be frank but don’t be rude. They have spent quality time on making it. So, avoid it for some reason or the other, but don’t be rude. 

Don’t shout

If you want something but the host is busy, keep calm and wait for the host to get back to you. If that takes times, politely remind them of it. That should solve the problem.

 

Learning table manners is not difficult. For this, you can even buy some books to understand every aspect in detail. If needed, use coupons from Chameleon John and make the most of the discount offers available.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I love these tips! I swear my father could have written them! He was a huge stickler for proper table manners! If he saw one of us kids put our elbows on the table he would reach over and jab you with his fork. 🙂 I do have to say that I have noticed that table manners are lacking in a lot of people now a days. I know a couple people that should be reading this article! Lol

  2. SO important! Bad table manners bug me to no end. I didn’t actually know about the “wait until your host places their napkin in their lap first.” I would add a bit about how to use utensils, like the knife is on the right, to be used with your right hand and the forks are on the left, ditto. Don’t use your fork with tines up; It looks like you’re shoveling things in your mouth. LOL, so opinionated on this!

    • Those are great things to add Holly! I try really hard to make sure that my children have table manners. They were bred into me and I want my children to understand them. My brothers even stand up anytime a lady stands at the table.

  3. Some people table manners are so awful, when I eat out I try not to look around because I’ve lost my appetite by watching and hearing others eat

  5. We have tried very hard to instill good manners at the table with our children. At ages 10 and 15 now, we are comfortable with them at any restaurant. They often are complemented for their good behavior.

    • Being complemented on their behavior is the best gift a parent can ever receive. Knowing that you did that is a badge of honor that you should wear proudly.

  6. These are very good suggestions, not the same typical list one might expect, but nonetheless true! Good to practice at home even just two people eating together, or really, even alone, as it is a habit to establish, so you don’t feel you need to be very conscious about it all if you get invited out.

  7. I feel that this post needs to reviewed by many these days. I was taught many of these table manners and taught my son as well. However, I am always amazed at how many do not know even the basic table manners, especially when eating out. 🙂

  9. There were 8 at the dinner table in my family and my parents taught every one of these tips. I enjoyed the article. 🙂

  12. I see some of these when visiting restaurants. I think teaching manners should be priority in raising children. Some passing gas or belching and laughing in a restaurant is disgusting!