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Table Manners : Quick and Easy Steps to make sure you DON T go wrong!

If each of us tries to recollect an incident that literally left a bad taste in your mouth at the dinner table, we will surely find more than one without much effort. While a lot has been said about doing it right at the table, very few actually try and make the effort of finding out what the right table manners actually are. It is terribly hard to excuse bad table manners because in reality it does not require much effort to acquire good ones.

Here are a few tips at the table to get you started:

Make sure you don t don on the napkin before the grace is said. Be patient. If you are attending a buffet, be patient. Wait your turn. Avoid pushing and shoving others at all costs.

Avoid heaping your plate at all costs. You may go in for a healthy second helping instead. Greed is intolerable and expresses a lack of table manners.

Do not salivate while looking at your plate. You might be watched! Watch your table manners!

Avoid taking children with poor table manners to formal dinners. Should this be inevitable, you should be solely responsible for all their actions at the table. Children learn best when they are young. Teach them the dos and don ts lest you want to feel discomfited at the table.

Never leave a used fork or a spoon on the table (even if you don t require it). Leave them in the plate unless you have plans to stain the table cloth.

Never ever let the knife touch your tongue. The knife should only be used to cut food articles that the fork can t.

Don t take more than a mouthful onto your fork. Inability to push it all in may render you embarrassed and ridiculed for a lack of good table manners.

Never chew with your mouth open.

Do not spit out food that s too hot. Opt for a glass of water instead.

Loud sounds while eating should be avoided at all costs. Do not smack your lips or lick your fingers! Do not make sounds while swallowing your food.

Avoid resting your elbow on the dinner table.

Never ever lick your ice cream spoon!!!!

Wait till all have finished and only then should you keep the napkin at the side of the table. Should you leave before the rest have finished, it is advisable to leave the napkin on the chair

Do not blow into your soup to cool it. Patience shown can leave a good impression.While having soup, make sure you take the spoon in your mouth by the sides. Avoid putting it in tip first.

Meat should be cut only as you are about to eat it. Do not cut the meats much before pushing them down your throat. It would appear too childish and reflect poor table manners

Avoid touching meat especially in general public. Let the fork and spoon do its work...

While eating bread with butter, it would be better to stick to a smaller piece of bread. Avoid smearing the whole slice with butter and eating it. It thoroughly reflects bad taste.

Do not lick your plate clean. That s a golden rule in table manners.

Avoid discussing topics at the table that could unnecessarily have an unpleasant effect on the minds and dispositions of others at the tableBe calm and composed at all times.

Should you be party to any undesired occurrence at the table, apologize immediately and do whatever you can to help clear the mess.

The list of do's and don'ts can be endless. One learns with experience. However, it is always better to be prepared. Before attending a formal dinner, it is always advisable to prepare and groom yourself well with the right table manners. The right attire, posture and composure can make a world of a difference! It leaves people longing for your company. Who knows, you might find yourself invited all over again! Happy eating! Enjoy your meal!

Article Published: Tuesday 10th April 2007