_TABLE MANNERS._
LESSON 9.
=Purpose.=--To show the importance of good table manners.
=Method.=--An item read with or without comment or questions asked.
_The Lesson._
Perhaps the question of _how_ to eat is not of quite the importance
as _what_ to eat, but in some particulars pertaining to the laws
of health the two are of equal rank. _How_ to eat is of much
more importance than many young people think, inasmuch as it
is a certain test of delicacy and refinement. If a person eats
immoderately fast, no one truly refined will set him down as a
gentleman. If one defies the regulations which society has made
relative to table manners, he is classed as decidedly ill-bred
or ignorant. It is well to study the etiquette of the table, and
to put in use those practices that have been decided by the best
society as being proper.
Questions.--Should the rules of society as to table manners be
disregarded? What does a lack of good table manners indicate? Are
table manners indicative of character?
SUBJECTS FOR ADDITIONAL LESSONS.
_Deference to the Lady of the House at Table._
=Suggestions.=--Do not be late at the home table. Never be late
when a guest. Do not take your seat at the table until the lady of
the house takes hers, nor rise from the table until she gives the
signal. If necessary to leave the table before the meal is over,
ask to be excused of the one presiding.
_Polite Phraseology of the Table._
=Suggestions.=--When it is desired that any article on the table be
passed, a servant should be asked, if there is one near. If not,
the request should be made of some one at the table, as follows:
“Please pass the bread,” “I would thank you for the bread,” “Will
you be kind enough to pass the bread?” etc.
When offered anything at the table, the acceptance should be
accompanied by “Thank you.” If anything is declined, it should be
with “No, I thank you,” or “Not any, I thank you.”
_Selfishness at Table._
=Suggestions.=--To take the best when there is any choice in the
food is to show a very selfish disposition. This does not apply
when urged to do so, but to seem to wish the best is inexcusable.
REMINDERS.
1. Sit reasonably near the table, neither too near nor too far
away. Never place the elbows on the table. Do not sit so far away
as to be obliged to lean forward. Do not bend over the plate. Do
not spread the elbows when cutting meat, etc.
2. Young people should wait patiently and quietly until the older
ones at table have been served. While waiting to be served, the
knife or fork or napkin ring, or any other table article, should be
left untouched. The hands should be quietly folded in the lap until
one is served. The napkin may be spread over the lap when one first
sits down at the table. Gentlemen do not now tuck the napkin under
the chin.
3. It is proper to begin eating as soon as served, although there
should be no indecorous haste. An exception to this rule is that no
one should begin to eat the dessert until all are served.
4. Do not help yourself first to anything on the table. Never put
your own knife, fork, or spoon into the food except as it has been
served to you. It is rude to reach across the table or to rise and
reach in order to help yourself. If servants are not near, ask
politely of some one at the table that the dish be passed.
5. Rapid eating is impolite and unhealthy. The mouth should not be
filled too full, and the food should be thoroughly chewed. Do not
chew the food so as to be heard. Do not smack the lips in eating.
Do not draw in the breath when eating soup, drinking milk, tea,
etc. Be careful not to show the food in your mouth. Do not attempt
to eat the last drop of soup nor the last morsel of food on the
plate.
6. The knife is used in cutting up the food, but it should not
convey the food to the mouth. The fork should be used for this
purpose. There is a proper way of holding knife and fork which can
best be learned by observing some one who does it properly. Soup
should be eaten from the side of the spoon.
7. When drinking tea or coffee, drink from the cup and not from the
saucer. When drinking from a goblet or tumbler, be careful not to
tip them too much. It is not in good form to throw the head back
and invert the tumbler. It is not well to drink much water while
eating.
8. If necessary to eject anything from the mouth while eating, use
the fork in conveying it from the mouth to the plate. Fruit stones
may be removed with the fingers and placed upon the plate.
9. When salt is taken from the salt-cellar, it should be put on the
plate and not on the table-cloth. Vegetables should be eaten with a
fork, if possible, rather than with a spoon. When small dishes are
used in serving vegetables, fruit, etc., they should not be taken
in the hand, but left on the table.
10. It is a disputed question what to do with the knife and fork
when the plate is passed for a second supply. It seems the better
plan not to leave them on the plate, as they are liable to fall
off or to be in the way, but to hold them in the right hand, or to
place them on the table in such a manner as not to soil the cloth.
11. Do not use a tooth-pick in public. It is a common practice,
but not with the best-bred people. Never indulge in the disgusting
practice of removing bits of food from the teeth with the tongue or
fingers. The teeth should receive attention in private.