Table manners are the rules used while eating, which may also include the use of utensils. Different cultures observe different rules for table manners.
Table manners are important, mostly because people will judge you on them. Worrying about loud chewing noises might not be a thing in someone’s culture, but it is in others’. While having good manners is important, the most important thing is not to make other people feel awkward.
Table manners make eating with others a pleasant experience. There is nothing more disturbing than sharing a meal with people who eat with their mouths open, drum their fingers on the table, and have no idea how to act properly while dining. Dining regularly at the family table will help you teach your children proper dining etiquette, something that will help them as adults. Proper dining etiquette is essential for dating, workplace dinner meetings, and all kinds of social functions.
Eat food by switching fork to right hand (unless you are left handed). A left hand, arm or elbow on the table is bad manners. Continental/Eurp–pean Style: Knife in right hand, fork in left hand. Eat food with fork still in left hand.
Improving Your Table Manners
- Make Good Use of Your Napkin. Place your napkin in your lap immediately upon sitting down.
- Don’t blow on your meal.
- Don’t emit bodily noises. Avoid coughing and nose blowing.
- Don’t reach for food.
- Don’t slouch. Mind your posture.
- Don’t be messy.
- Chew with your mouth closed.
- Keep your smartphone off the table and set it to silent or vibrate.
- Hold utensils correctly.
- Wash up and come to the table clean.
- Remember to use your napkin.
- Wait until you’re done chewing to sip or swallow a drink.
- Pace yourself with fellow diners.
- Come to the table with hands and face clean. Teach children to wash up before dinner.
- Wait until everyone is served before eating.
- Ask to be excused.
Rules to Remember:
- Always say “please” when asking someone to pass you something at the table, and then thank the person when you receive it.
- Do not reach across the table for something that is too far away. You run the risk of spilling something or getting your sleeve in someone else’s food, and it is bad manners.
- Pass food counterclockwise around the table, starting with the head of the table. Take what you want from the serving bowl and pass it to the right.
- Taste your food before adding any salt or pepper out of respect for the talents of the cook. It is fine to season your food lightly, but do not assume that you will need to before tasting it.
- Cut the meat one piece at a time and eat each piece before cutting the next one.
- Always chew slowly with your mouth closed.
- Use your napkin to wipe your mouth and hands frequently.
- If someone asks for salt or pepper, always pass both the salt and pepper shakers. This keeps the set together.
- When a woman leaves the table or returns to it, the men should stand briefly out of respect and courtesy.
- Excuse yourself from the table during a meal only if you have to. If you must leave to use the bathroom, simply say, “Excuse me, I’ll be back in a moment.” You do not have to announce where you are going; no one wants to hear about it during a meal.
Never use the table as an elbow rest. We know it’s tempting, but avoid putting your elbows on the table. “Keep them tucked into your body, especially when lifting food into your mouth.