Table Manners Rule # 74
Rule:Do not wave your fork, knife, or spoon around in the air as you talk. Reason:You could accidentally injure someone and no one wants to watch your food-laden fork waving around in front of them. Application:If you must talk with your hands, do so discreetly with empty hands held close to your face. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 73
Rule:Don’t push your plate back away from you when you finish eating. Reason:You give the impression that you are finished and everyone else should be finished, also. Application:When you finish, place your silverware on the plate in a parallel position and sit quietly while others finish their meal. Don’t look annoyed at their slow pace. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 72
Rule:Never pick your teeth or use dental floss at the dining table or anywhere else in public. Reason:It is disgusting to watch. Application:If you have a problem tooth or something stuck in your braces, excuse yourself to the bathroom to take care of the problem. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 71
Rule:Don’t reach across the dining table for the condiments or a dish or platter. Reason:It is rude to reach your arm in front of someone. You might knock something over, spilling it and making a mess. Application:Quietly ask someone to pass you the butter or whatever it is you need. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 70
Rule:Cut only one or two bites of food at a time. Reason:If you cut up all your meat at once, your plate will looks messy and your food will get cold quicker. Application:Pick up your knife in your right hand with the fork in your left. With your knife, cut your food in front of the fork. Don’t saw back and forth. Gently pull the knife toward you. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 69
Rule:Never touch your head or scratch your body at a dining table. Reason:It makes others fear you may contaminate their food. Application:If you have a persistent itch or your hair needs rearranging, excuse yourself to the bathroom. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 68
Rule:Do not chew food with your mouth open. Reason:It is disgusting to those who must sit across from you. Application:Take small bites and keep your lips together until you have swallowed the food. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 67
Rule:When eating remove something from your mouth with the piece of silverware you put it in with. Reason:Your fingers should never go into your mouth except to retrieve a bone. Application:When you get something in your mouth that you cannot swallow, take your left hand and cover your mouth while you use your fork in the right hand to remove a gristle, for instance. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 66
Rule:Posture at the dining table is important. Reason:Others have to look at us. Application:Sit up straight with your feet firmly on the floor and with your elbows close to your sides so you don’t “elbow” the one next to you. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 65
Rule:Swallow completely any bite of food in your mouth before drinking from a beverage glass. Reason:Otherwise, you may dribble food or water as you drink. Application:Before taking a sip of water or other beverage, swallow your food and dab your mouth with your napkin so you won’t leave ugly smudges on the glass or cup. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 64
Rule:Do not talk with your mouth full of food. Reason:It is most unattractive, not to mention unappetizing. Application:If someone asks you a question while you are chewing, hold up your index finger to indicate that you need a minute to finish swallowing before you answer. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 63
Rule:The practice of toasting someone to honor him or her comes from an ancient ritual. Reason:Long ago a piece of toasted bread was dropped into a glass which was then passed around the table for everyone to drink from in someone’s honor. Application:Long ago, the last person to receive the glass was expected to eat the toast in the bottom of the glass. Thank goodness, today, we drink from our own glasses or not at all. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 62
Rule:A toast takes place at a meal when someone lifts a glass and says something nice about the person being toasted. There are two types of toasts, one at the beginning of the meal and one just prior to dessert. Being the toasted person is a big honor. Reason:The first toast is proposed by the host to welcome everyone. Just before dessert the host may propose a toast to the guest of honor. Application:Everyone but the one being toasted should stand for a toast if possible. The one being toasted may hold a glass, but he or she should not raise it or touch it to the lips. One does not drink a toast to oneself. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 61
Rule:When only a fork is needed to eat your dessert, you will find only a fork above your plate with the handle pointing to the right. (Notice this placement is different from when there is a dessert fork and spoon.) Reason:Notice that when the fork is on the table without the spoon, its handle is pointed to the right instead of the left because the right hand will use it. Application:Use only a fork for a piece of cake. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 60
Rule:When only a spoon is needed to eat your dessert, you will find only a spoon above your plate with the handle pointing to the right. Reason:For ice cream and other soft desserts only a spoon is needed. Application:Pick your dessert spoon up with your right hand. If you are left handed, switch the spoon into your left hand. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 59
Rule:The dessert spoon handle should be turned to the right and the dessert fork handle should point to the left. Reason:Positioning the dessert spoon and fork in this way makes it logical to pick them up properly. Application:Pick the spoon up in your right hand, and pick the fork up in your left hand. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 58
Rule:The dessert fork and spoon may lie directly above the top of your plate. Reason:There is a rule that says no more than three spoons, or three forks, or three knives can be placed on the table on either side of the plate. Therefore, the dessert pieces are placed above the center plate. Application:When your dessert is served, you may need both the fork and the spoon to eat it. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 57
Rule:A salad may be properly eaten with a knife and fork today. Reason:At one time the rules said that lettuce should never be cut with a knife. It bruised the tender leaves. Application:Today, some restaurants serve such large wedges of lettuce that a salad would be inedible if diners could not cut it up. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 56
Rule:While dining, never prop your silverware on a plate or saucer (except the iced teaspoon). Reason:It appears that you have gangplanked your silverware, making them look like the oars in a boat. Propping them also makes picking up the dish difficult for the waiter or hostess. Application:Always place your utensils securely on the plate for easier lifting when it comes time to remove the plates. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 55
Rule:
When you are finished eating, place your knife and fork in a parallel position across your plate in the clocklike position of 10:20.
Reason:
It is a signal to the waiter or hostess that you have finished that course. (Be sure to wait for the hostess to place her utensils in a finished position if she is seated at the table with you.)
Application:
Watch your hostess and the others at the table. Gauge the speed of your eating to comply with theirs, so you will not finish long before the others or long after the others at the table.
Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore
Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 54
Rule:When you are resting during your meal or planning to reach for your glass or cup, place your knife across the top of your plate with the cutting edge turned inward and the fork simply placed in the clocklike position of 10:20. The handles should point to the 4 on the face of a clock. Reason:As a signal to the waiter or hostess. Application:Placing your utensils this way means that you are not finished eating and do not wish to have your plate taken away. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 53
Rule:When someone serves a beverage you do not drink, never turn a glass or cup upside down or cover the cup with your hand to show that you are refusing that beverage. Reason:It is offensive to the host. Application:When a host or waiter offers to fill your glass or cup, simply say, “No, thank you.” (The waiter often takes away the empty glass so you won’t be bothered again.) Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 52
Rule:You may raise an empty glass to join in toasting someone. It is no longer considered bad luck to toast with water or an empty glass. Reason:Toasting is a kind way of recognizing someone’s accomplishments or honors Application:When a toast is offered simply raise whatever glass or cup you have in front of you. You do not have to drink from it. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 51
Rule:You may refuse beverages if you do so in a polite manner. Reason:While it is not proper to refuse food that is set before you, drinking is a personal issue that may be refused. Application:Simply say, “No, thank you” with no explanation. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 50
Rule:No one’s hands should ever touch the rim of a glass. Reason:Cleanliness. Application:Always pick a glass up and hold it from the stem or from the lower part of a tumbler. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
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