Table Manners Rule # 49
Rule:Beverages are served from the right side of the diner. Reason:The glasses are always on the right; therefore, it is practical and safe to fill the glasses from the right. Application:To serve beverages properly, you leave the glass or cup on the table and pour from the pitcher directly into the glass. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 48
Rule:In Continental style eating, both utensils remain in their respective hands. Reason:So you can bring the fork, tines down, to your mouth by twisting your left wrist and raising your forearm slightly (The Protocol School of Washington©). Application:Try eating both American style and Continental style, but decide once for all which way you will eat. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 47
Rule:To eat in the Continental style, you must keep the knife in your right hand and the fork in your left, which means you must use your knife to push your peas onto the back of the fork tines for eating. Reason:In the Continental style you do not shift the fork from the left hand to the right hand. Application:After your food is cut, use your knife to secure a morsel on your fork by pushing the food with your knife upon the back of the fork with the tines turned downward. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 46
Rule:When eating, it is proper to remain with either the American style or the Continental style, but not both during the course of one meal. Reason:Good etiquette requires consistency. Application:Decide which style you are going to master and stay with it. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 45
Rule:Before 1840 Americans and Europeans ate the same way, with the fork in the right hand. In the mid-nineteenth century, however, the fashionable upper class stopped shifting their forks back and forth between their right and left hands. Americans never changed from the original way of eating. Reason:In America from the beginning everyone was considered equal with fewer snobbish class distinctions. Application:Today you may confidently use either method and portray neither an air of pretence or pomposity. No matter which style you choose, the key is to facilitate your fork and knife with ease and confidence and to know where to place them on your plate when you finish with each course. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 44
Rule:In the Continental style of eating, the knife remains in the right hand and the fork with tines turned downward remains in the left hand. Reason:About 1840 the upper class in England (and later all over Europe) adopted a new way of eating called Continental style. They wanted to distinguish their style from the lower and middle class. Application:Thankfully today our choice of dining style does not reflect our class, but some people simply find it more efficient to eat using the Continental style, that is, by keeping the knife in the right hand and eating from the inverted fork in the left. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 43
Rule:In both the American style of eating and the Continental style, the knife is used in the right hand for cutting. (If you are left handed, put the knife in your left hand.) Reason:The knife goes in the dominant hand. Application:If you are using the American style, hold the fork in your right hand with the tines down. Cut with your knife, and then put it down at the top of your plate, blade edge facing inward. Switch the fork to your right hand and hold it as you would a pencil (held between your index finger and middle finger, and secured by your thumb). Then guide the fork with the food into your mouth. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 42
Rule:Always lay a table knife down with the cutting edge turned toward the center of the plate. Reason:Long ago men used sticks or sharp knives to spear a chunk of meat. Since the men were known to flail their utensils around as they talked boisterously, they established this rule: Keep the sharp edge of the knife turned toward the one using it. Otherwise, they might nick their neighbor in the nose. Application:For tradition and for practical use, continue to follow the rule of keeping the cutting edge of a knife turned inward, never outward. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 41
Rule:If you choose the American style of eating, you will eat with the fork in your right hand. Reason:The American style of eating requires that we cut our meat with the knife in our right hand, then lay the knife down on the plate and switch the fork to the right hand. Application:After you have cut a bite of meat, lay your knife down across the top of your dinner plate and switch the fork to your right hand. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 40
Rule:It is important to hold your fork and knife correctly, no matter which style you choose – American style or Continental style dining. Reason:To avoid embarrassment. Application:With both styles of eating, you pick up the knife on the right and the fork on the left. The Protocol School of Washington© teaches proper handling of utensils this way: Open your hands, palms up. Place the fork with tines up in your open left hand. Place the knife with the sharp edge facing the left in your open right hand. Let half of the handle of the fork rest on the palm of your left hand with the remainder resting on your index finger of that hand. Let half of the handle of the knife rest on the palm of your open right hand with the remainder resting on your index finger of that hand. With your thumb placed over each handle, grasp the fork and knife (in your open palm) and turn your hands over, pointing your left index finger toward the tines of the fork along the handles and pointing your index finger toward the cutting tip of the knife along the handles. Your thumb now will be on the underside of the fork and knife. Your grip is firm and secure grip on them. You are ready to cut. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 39
Rule:There are two ways to hold one’s silverware while eating. One is called the American style and the other is the Continental style. Both are correct. Reason:Until about 1840, people in America and people in other parts of the world held their silverware the same way – with the fork in the right hand. (Later, there will be an explanation of why people in America eat differently from people in other parts of the world.) Application:Learn both styles, but eat with the one you are most comfortable with, remembering not to criticize another person’s style. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 38
Rule:Parents want their children to stand the tests of table etiquette they will face in life. Reason:In their humanity, parents want their children to make them (the parents) look good and to represent the family well. Application:By using this Bible verse, you can put aside any personal motives and seek God’s approval over anyone else’s. Now we pray to God that you (my child) do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right. II Corinthians 13:7 Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 37
Rule:Chairs must always be moved back under the table after you exit. Reason:To prevent someone running into it or falling over it. Application:As a gentleman, you alone will replace the chair to its proper place under the table. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 36
Rule:It is still proper for the men to help the ladies rise from their chairs and exit the table. Reason:Some traditions endure for courtesy sake. Application:As a man or young boy you should stand behind the lady’s chair, take hold of the back of the chair, and help the young lady push the chair back so she can exit it. The lady must help move the chair backwards. Usually, the man cannot move the chair without assistance. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 35
Rule:When you sit down to a meal and the napkin is in a napkin ring, take the napkin out and lay the ring down on the table to your left somewhere. Reason:Any diner would find it difficult to use the napkin if it were left in the ring.
Today, napkin rings are mostly decorative, but they have a very interesting origin. Application:Use a fresh napkin at every meal. Long ago, each member of the family had his or her own distinctive napkin ring. Since napkins were used more than once, diners wanted to make sure they had their own previously-used napkin and not someone else’s. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 34
Rule:Never refold a used napkin. Reason:A napkin is never refolded because you will not re-use it. Long ago, each member of the family had his or her own napkin which was folded at the end of each meal to be used again. Application:Do not refold your napkin because doing so means you plan to use it again, and with today’s modern laundry equipment we don’t have to do that. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 33
Rule:If you must leave the table for any reason before a meal is finished, you should place your napkin to the left of your place setting. (Some etiquette books say to put your napkin in your chair.) Reason:Napkins often become soiled with spots with grease or food. If you put the napkin in your chair, you may soil the seat cushion, and even transfer a smudge to your clothes when you are reseated. Application:When you excuse yourself from the table, simply lift your napkin and lay it loosely (not folded) beside your forks (or the ones that were there) on the left. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 32
Rule:Never put a napkin in a used plate. Reason:If you put a cloth napkin in a soiled plate, someone has to retrieve it, or it will be discarded with the contents of the plate. Application:Lift your napkin from the center in loose folds and gently lay it on the left side of your place setting with any ugly smudges on the under side. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 31
Rule:When the informal, family meal is finished, the hostess (or the mom) signals the time to leave the table. Reason:Everyone should remain at the table until the others have finished eating, unless prior arrangements have been made with a parent (such as ball practice or to cram for a test). Application:As mom (or the hostess) lift your napkin from the center and place it loosely to the left of your dessert plate. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 30
Rule:When the dinner plates are removed, the dessert should be served from the left of each diner. Reason:To prevent any mishaps between the server and the diner. Application:The hostess or other family member can prepare the dessert on individual plates and bring them to the table, or that person can set clean dessert plates on the table. Each diner then serves himself or herself as the dessert bowl or tray is passed around the table to the right. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 29
Rule:Remove all dishes and glasses from the right side of the diner. Reason:Since the late nineteenth century it has remained proper to serve all dishes to the diners by placing a dish on the table from the left of the diner and to remove it from the right side of the diner to prevent accidents. Application:Teach your family that when everything is served individually, each dish is served from the left to prevent a collision between the diner and a bowl of hot soup. Imagine making the mistake of setting a bowl of hot soup in front of diners from the right as they reach for their drinking glass on the right. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 28
Rule:When the informal meal is finished except for dessert, the dirty dinner plates should be removed to the sink or kitchen counter. Reason:To make the table more pleasant looking and to make room for dessert. Application:As the hostess, you may choose to remove the plates or designate a member of the family to do that. Families usually take turns with that chore. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 27
Rule:It is proper to ask for something on the table that is out of your reach. Reason:The purpose of eating an informal, family meal is to share. Application:Someone seated at the table should now demonstrate how to ask for something on the table. For instance, say, “Dad, would you please pass the salt?”
After receiving the salt, a polite thank you is in order. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 26
Rule:At all meals, diners should watch their tablemates to see if they need more of something on the table. Reason:Eating in the company of others should be a pleasure and a privilege, where we look out for one another. Application:Demonstrate to your family how you watch to see if someone at the table needs more bread. Say, “Sarah, you seem to have finished your roll. Would you care for another one?” Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
Table Manners Rule # 25
Rule:Once a dish of food has made its way around the table one time, the “pass to the right” rule no longer applies. After that, food is passed the shortest route to the diner who requests it. Reason:For the first trip around the table, food should be passed in one direction. Otherwise, you may have diners trying to balance dishes going and coming in both directions. Application:Show your family how to pick up a bowl and serve themselves and pass it to the right. After everything is passed one time, show how to pass the peas to your neighbor on your left. It would make no sense to pass the peas all around the table for one person. Copyright 2003, June Hines Moore Click here for a biblical approach and resources on manners.
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