Sorry, Please - Manners and Etiquette

Why are table manners important when sharing a meal?

What are some table manners to have an enjoyable meal?

Public Comments

1. So that you don't appear to be an uneducated buffoon. Just key in 'table manners' on your search engine. There will be lots of info there. More than I could provide on this forum.
2. Don't talk with your mouth full
3. I agree and also....turn off the cell phone and don't answer the house phone while having dinner.... when we sit down as a family we have a rule that we do not answer the phone at all!!!!
4. So you don't reveal yourself as a slob! Don't fart, belch, yawn, put your elbows on the table, talk to loudly, talk with your mouth full, slurp your soup, wipe your mouth on the tablecloth and generally behave like a hayseed!
5. Manners of any kind allow everyone to feel comfortable. Although it was not in a table setting, I was just experiencing discomfort at the internet seat I'm at in the library. And it's something that can also happen at a table seating. The person next to me was coughing just about every minute or two, and it was starting to make me feel very uncomfortable. It didn't seem like he was covering his mouth. If it was me I would have stepped aside and gotten some water...or at least coughed in a tissue. He did leave afther awhile but not until I started feeling agitated.
6. Table manners refers to the etiquette used while eating, which may also include the appropriate use of utensils. Different cultures observe different rules for table manners. Many table manners evolved out of practicality. For example, it is generally impolite to put elbows on tables, since doing so creates a risk of tipping over bowls and cups. Each family or group sets its own standards for how strictly these rules are to be enforced. Table Setting Standard American table setting * Bread or salad plates are to the left of the main plate, beverage glasses are to the right. If small bread knives are present, lay them across the bread plate with the handle pointing to the right. * Modern etiquette provides the smallest numbers and types of utensils necessary for dining. Only utensils which are to be used for the planned meal should be set. Even if needed, hosts should not have more than three utensils on either side of the plate before a meal. If extra utensils are needed, they may be brought to the table along with later courses. [1] * If a salad course is served early in the meal, the salad fork should be further from the main course fork, both set on the left. If a soup is served, the spoon is set on the right, further from the plate than the knife. Dessert utensils, a small (such as salad) fork and teaspoon should be placed above the main plate horizontally, or served with the dessert. For convenience, restaurants and banquet halls may not adhere to these rules, instead setting a uniform complement of utensils at each seat. * If a wine glass and a water glass are set, the wine glass is on the right directly above the knife. The water glass is to the left of the wine glass at a 45 degree angle, closer to the diner. * Glasses designed for certain types of wine may be set if available. If only one type of glass is available, it is considered correct regardless of the type of beverage provided. * Salt and pepper are always placed together and passed together even if someone only asks for one.[citation needed] * Hosts should always provide cloth napkins to guests. When paper napkins are provided, they should be treated the same as cloth napkins, and therefore should not be balled up or torn. * Coffee or tea cups are placed to the right of the table setting, or above the setting to the right if space is limited. The cup's handle should be pointing right. Before Dining * Men should not wear a hat at the dinner table. Women should not wear hats inside their own homes. * The gentlemen stand behind their chairs until the women are all seated before sitting down to a formal meal. * A prayer or 'blessing' may be customary in some households, and the guests may join in or be respectfully silent. Most prayers are made by the host before the meal is eaten. Hosts should not practice an extended religious ritual in front of invited guests who have different beliefs. * A toast may be offered instead of or in addition to a blessing. * Do not start eating until (a) every person is served or (b) those who have not been served request that you begin without waiting. At more formal occasions all diners should be served at the same time and will wait until the hostess or host lifts a fork or spoon before beginning. * Keep your napkin on your lap. At more formal occasions all diners will wait to place their napkins on their laps until the host or hostess places his or her napkin on his or her lap. * Wait until your hostess picks up her fork or spoon before starting to eat. * When eating very messy foods, such as barbecued ribs or crab, in an informal setting, where it must be eaten with the fingers and could cause flying food particles, a 'bib' or napkin tucked into the collar may be used by adults. Wet wipes or ample paper napkins should be provided to clean the hands. In formal settings, bibs or napkins used as such are improper, and food should be prepared by the chef so that it may be eaten properly with the provided utensils. * Even if you have dietary restrictions, it can be considered rude to request other food at a private function, although this restriction has eased some in modern times due to food allergies being more common. If you must ask, do so as politely as possible, and as soon as possible, preferably when accepting the invitation. General Manners while Dining * When a dish is offered from a serving dish (a.k.a. family style), as is the traditional manner, the food may be passed around or served by a host or staff. If passed, you should pass on the serving dish to the next person in the same direction as the other dishes are being passed. Place the serving dish on your left, take some, and pass to the person next to you. You should consider how much is on the serving dish and not take more than a proportional amount so that everyone may have some. If you do not care for any of the dish, pass it to the next