Some courtesies to observe while at table.

Some courtesies to observe while at table.

We do not live to eat-but we must eat to live. Animal and birds eat, and they have their own methods. The cow lowers her head; the bird pecks at food; the pig gulps in a noisy manner; cats and dog eat greedily.

But people are not mere animals. They have reasons and intelligence, and are meant by God to reach higher life hereafter. So we have rules that tell us how to behave at meals. We call these rules table-manners and every polite man and woman will be glad to find out what should be done and what should not be done at meal-time.

Read on now:

Come in time to your meals. Wait until all are seated before starting to eat. Apologise if you are late. Say ‘the grace’ before and after meals.
While waiting to be served, keep your hands off the table. Polite people do not play with knife, fork or spoon or make unnecessary noise when using them.
During the meal keep your elbows close to your sides. Sit up straight in an easy natural position.
Place your table – napkin on your lap. It should not appear above the level of the table except when you have to wipe your lips or fingers.
Take your food tidily and noiselessly.
Eat slowly – a little at a time and make sure that food being eaten is not seen by others. Do not speak while eating. Wait until the food has been swallowed.
Home or school orientation will show you how to hold a knife, fork, spoon and cup correctly, when not in use they should be laid down-knife and fork on the plate, spoon in the saucer.
If the food or drink is too hot, allow it to cool. If tea is too hot, milk may be added. It is impolite to blow on food or drink; tea should not be poured into a saucer for cooling.
Be careful to take soup noiselessly without “slurping”. If you have to tilt the plate, tilt it away from you. Take soup from the side of the spoon, not from the tip.
If bread is supplied with soup, small portions are broken off with the fingers as required. Bread is never put into the soup or dipped in it.
Bread should be cut in thin slices. Small portions are cut from the slice and buttered as required.
Bread or biscuits should not be dipped in tea or coffee.
It is rude to reach across others for what you at table. Ask to have it passed “Sugar please”, etc.
Attend to the wants of those near you. When passing a jug turn the handle towards the person needing it.
As a general rule, speak only to those who sit next to you or opposite you. It is impolite to lean across the person beside you in order to speak to someone else.
If you have to leave the table before others have finished, ask to be excused.