elbow on the table

I was taught that it is bad manners to eat while putting your elbows on the table. Really don't know why, but untill today i cannot eat if my elbows are on the table. What can we say, if you are raised that is is wrong, we wil try and rememer that. TATA.

I am aware of such rule, but I don't know why is it so. I usually put my elbow on table when dining at the school canteen. It's comfortable to eat and chat with my mates like that. When I'm eating at home or in some public restaurant, I don't put my elbow on the table, don't know why, perhaps in order to look polite.

Well, I didn't ask the reason why we can't put our elbows on the table when I learned it. For all I know its just for good table manners or table etiquette. Its always nice to have table manners, it says about our upbringing. Happy mylotting!

I try not too so many times but I usually end up doing it.

I feel by putting our elbows on the table we tend to bend forward which not only blocks the view of the person sitting next to us. Sitting in this position will also make the person clumsy as with elbows on the table, trying to balance hands is very difficult.

When I was young we were not allowed to do it because it takes up such a lot of room on the table and everyone else must put up with it. When my kids were younger ,I used to stop them not because of the room they took up but because if they shift their weight, it can tip the table up . I have no idea if either of these is the real reason for it being bad manners but at least they are reasons not to do it in your home.

I don't know either, but I find that very uncomfortable. But when I'm at home with family, I don't really care about such things anyway...

it is not actually that we can't put the elbow on the table but we are not allowed to do it. it is not a good table manner, especially for the oldies. i also don't want anybody put their elbows on the table while we are having meal.

I had to have a think about whether I actually do eat with my elbows on the table and realised that I usually don’t but I don’t really know why because it was not something that I was taught as a child and I don’t ever instil that in my daughter; maybe I should! (LOL) I don’t put my elbows on the table simply because it is uncomfortable for me. As to why it is considered bad manners, I really don’t know...My husband says that it began as a courtesy thing to allow the person next to you more room...

I rarely eat at the table. my house no dining table. We ate while sitting on the floor. for us is more comfortable than sitting at the table, so I never understood about the rules. if there is a rule like that, I will adopt if I'm eating at other places, which uses the table.

I don't know why it's considered bad manners. I am bad to do it, though. I guess it's just relaxing for me. Kathy.

I was taught that it's not proper etiquette if you put your elbows on the table when eating so i observe it on some occasions. But that's where it ends, i'm comfortable eating when my elbows are on the table, so i do it at home.

I can't imagine eating with my elbows on the table, I just tried putting it on now and I couldn't move my hands to properly maneuver my spoon and fork. lol.