Social skills appropriate at the table include:
1. Wash you hands before each meal.
2. Knife and spoon are placed to the right of the plate. The fork is on the left.
3. Open the napkin and place it in your lap before starting.
4. Pass food to the right.
5. Ask for food to be passed to you if it is out of reach. “Mom, please pass the butter.”
(Remember to be patient with younger family members.)
6. Do not take food if it is being passed by you at another person’s request.
7. Swallow food before talking.
8. Talk only of pleasant subjects during the meal.
9. Compliment the host on the food.
10. Take food in small pieces.
11. Take turns during the conversation.
12. Ask permission to be excused from the table.
13. Never put food you touched back onto a serving plate.
14. Never eat directly from a serving plate. You eat only from your plate.
15. The left hand remains under the table unless you use it in the process of cutting.
16. Elbows and arms are never placed on the table.
17. Individuals gage their eating so that everyone is finished with the meal at the same time.
18. Knife and fork set in a position on the plate looking like the hands of a clock at 5:30 means that you are finished.
19. When plate is removed and dinner is definitely finished, the napkin is removed from the lap, folded in half and placed back on the table near its original position.
20. Men usually help women with their chair first when sitting and last when leaving the dining table.
1. Eat with a fork unless the food is meant to be eaten with fingers. Only babies eat with fingers.
2. Sit up and do not hunch over your plate; wrists or forearms can rest on the table, or hands on lap. You don't want to look like a Neanderthal.
3. Don't stuff your mouth full of food, it looks gross, and you could choke.
4. Chew with your mouth closed. No one wants to be grossed out seeing food being chewed up or hearing it being chomped on. This includes no talking with your mouth full.
5. Don't make any rude comments about any food being served. It will hurt someone's feelings.
6. Always say thank you when served something. Shows appreciation.
7. If the meal is not buffet style, then wait until everyone is served before eating. It shows consideration.
8. Eat slowly and don't gobble up the food. Someone took a long time to prepare the food, enjoy it slowly. Slowly means to wait about 5 seconds after swallowing before getting another forkful.
9. When eating rolls, tear off a piece of bread before buttering. Eating a whole piece of bread looks tacky.
10. Don't reach over someone's plate for something. Politely ask that the item to be passed to you. Shows consideration.
11. Do not pick anything out of your teeth, it's gross. If it bothers you that bad, excuse yourself and go to the restroom to pick.
12. Always use a napkin to dab your mouth, which should be on your lap when not in use. Remember, dab your mouth only. Do not wipe your face or blow your nose with a napkin, both are gross. Excuse yourself from the table and go the restroom to do those things.
13. When eating at someone's home or a guest of someone at a restaurant, always thank the host and tell them how much you enjoyed it. At least say that you liked the dinner or mention a specific item that was particularly tasty, i.e. the dessert was great. Again, someone took time, energy, and expense to prepare the food, so show your appreciation.