If you wish your children to behave properly on the dining table, it’s up to you to teach them the right way. Here are 8 table etiquettes, including placing napkin on the lap, that your children must know.
8 Must Know Table Etiquettes
- Chew with Mouth Closed
No one wants to know what’s inside your mouth. Therefore, avoid chewing with your mouth open. Chewing without closing mouth creates a lot of noise that can irritate others present on the dinner table. Hence, it needs to be avoided at all instances. - Consider That You’re Not Alone
While sitting at a dining table, realize that you’re not alone, and each and every action of yours is dearly noticed by all diners. Never do a thing that affects other diners or create some kind of nuisance. - No Gadgets to the Dining Table
Dining table is meant to enjoy food with others. So, there is no space for gadgets like smartphones and iPods there. Avoid taking gadgets to the dining table as this can spoil the mood of others and ruin the setting. - Place Napkin On the Lap
It’s common to drop food on the lap while eating. Therefore, it’s necessary to put a napkin on the lap to avoid clothes from staining. - Proper Cutlery Use
Knife, fork and other cutlery are placed at the dining table because it is meant to be used there. Therefore, use cutlery properly and restrict to use that they are meant for. - When Done with the Meal Place Knife and Fork On The Right Side Of The Plate
Once you’re done eating your food, put your fork and knife to the right side on the plate. Blades of the knife and fork should be inwards while the fork needs to be placed in an upward position. This is a gentle way of suggesting that you’re done with your food and now you’re ready for the dessert. - Use Please and Thank You
Both of these pleasantries express gratitude and appreciation. Dinner time is a great time to show respect to each other and share something important that happened during the day. Whenever asking someone to pass a bowl of salad or rice, add After you’ve been served or passed something, express your gratitude by saying thank you. - Waiting for Others to Dig In
Even after you’ve been served, wait for others to be served. Thereafter, start eating. Starting to eat while others are still being served isn’t a great well-mannered thing to do.
Table manners are must for everyone. Teaching them to your kids is a way to ensure that others can enjoy dining with them.
