Do you believe in good table manners?

I feel like I am always on my kids case about those rules too. It drives me nuts when they have their head resting on their arm, with elbow on the table ... like they are just too exhausted to eat ... to me its so rude. And the chewing with the mouth open and tlaking with the mouth full...I think I have said that seven thousand times in 2007. I feel bad for always being on their case though.

My ten year old is constantly talking with her mouth full. It drives me nuts and I am always harping on her about that, and about the way she squirms in her chair. She'll lie down on her chair and hang over the side, or partially sit and stand. Elbows on the table is also one I've been getting on their case about. What's funny is the things I say to my kids that my father said to me. One he always got on us about was leaning back in the chair, like on the two hind legs. That was a definite no-no, and still is for me. My father also made a big deal about us brushing our hair and washing our hands before we came to the table. I make sure my kids wash their hands, but don't worry so much about the hair. Also, no hats on at the table, and no bare-chested father (put your shirt on please). I do have to give my kids kudos for one thing. They always say thank you to me when we sit down to eat. They thank me for the dinner and then DH does. They did this when they were staying over at my cousin's when my brother passed away. My girls said 'thank you' when she placed their dinner down in front of them and she was shocked. She was, like, "What for?" My kids may not have the best table manners but they are very polite.

My husband has a huge peeve about people who talk with food in their mouth. Its amazing how many people will do it. Even if you cover your mouth with a napkin its still disgusting. Take a few minutes to chew your food and you can also take a moment to think about what to say. Another one we are constantly working on with his son when he is here to visit is eat with both your feet on the floor. He likes to put a foot up on his chair or sit with his feet tucked under him. That and not leaning back in his chair. Some others are wait for everyone to be served before you start eating unless your hostess specifically tells you to not wait for someone. Wait for everyone to be finished eating before you leave the table unless there is a very valid reason for you to leave. In that same thought, children should ask permission to leave the table.

The only rules I strictly enforce is 1. Chew with your mouth closed. 2. Don't talk with your mouth full of food. 3. Put your dishes in the sink when you are done.

Wow I wouldn't be able to remember all those rules . But I suppose if you grew up with it like this you would not find it so hard to remember . Your way is probably much better then ours as we rarely sit down to eat as a family . Christmas and a couple of times throughout the year would be the extent to it . We all generally get something when we are hungry and when we do we make up a plate for the little one's . No one even eats the same thing so it makes mealtime and endless chore .

I definately believe in teaching my kids good table manners. Sometimes they don't always follow them, but they are kids...I always give a little bit of leway, but not much...especially when we are at a restaurant or something. Talking with mouth full or chewing with open mouth are two things I hate! I have to say that the elbows on the table are hard for me since I catch myself with mine on the tables a lot. LOL I like your list...very nice.

These are about the same as what I was taught by my parents and not to feed the animals...other than that, you could very well be my mum....hahahahahah

You've pretty much summed up everything Bittybiddy..I learnt all these back in school..I studied in a residential school which was first started by the British when they were in India. I'm thankful for all that I learnt there. I want to add one more thing, which one of my teachers pointed out to me eveytime we ate..to start eating from the point closest to you i.e. to start with the food closest to you on the plate. I have no idea why we had to do that but my teacher would glare at me if I began eating from the middle or the farther end!!We were seated in a table of 8 and the head of the tabel (usually a senior..as in grade/standard terms)served each one of us and passed the plate. Once we were done, oner person collected the plates and cutlery and cleared the table. But back then we had to finish everything on our plates, no wasting. This rule, my uncle and his family follow even today. No matter what is served it has to be finished, if you don't want it say so earlier.

Yes, I am having a difficult time teaching my son good table manners, he needs to improve a lot of things.

These are all great manners to teach our children ...I have to tell you a little story a few days ago I was telling my 2 year old to "chew with your mouth closed " and she would keep closing her eyes ...lol ..she knows the difference but she would get confused when I was trying to make her do it ...I was just one of those cute little things kids do ...

i do believe in good table manners because food is a blessing from God so we should respect it or use it a nice way. because with food we can live longer here in the world. if no food we will die or we will got sick.what do you think?

Yes, I certainly belive in good table manners. I think it's rude to pick your teeth in front of the dining table. Following good table manners is a sign of politeness. For the guys, having good table manners is definitely appealing to girls.

sometimes seeing someone with bad table matters can really make you lose your appetite. for example farting or burping at the table grasses me out. i also knew these people who babied their child and encouraged them to eat like a little baby cause they thought it was cute. the child was eight years old. he was eating a peanut butter and jelly sandwitch and smeared it all over his face. and tried to pick it up with his mouth off of the plate on the table. and his parents said he was so cute. that's terrible manners and it really bothered me to watch that.

BittyBiddy, I totally agree with what you are doing. I have six kids and have worked with children most of my life. I think it boils down to respect. Respect for themselves and others. You can have the sweetest, smartest child, but if they eat like an animal, people will have a hard time being around them. If the way they eat and conduct themselves at a table interfers with other people enjoying thier meal, it is just plain rude. Keep up the good work, I think long ago parents cared a little more about how their children presented themselves, now parents are happy if their kid just doesn't end up in a detention center.

Yea BB!!! I have been trying to get my five year old grandson to change is table manners. He chews like a pig at the trough. I even show him what he looks like. He stops for a minute and goes right back. It really makes me mad. My kids grew up with excellent table manners.

great disscusion i think alot of people could use lessons /really in public places where we share the room with some real pigs...

You remind me of my mum, BittyBiddy. Every day at mealtime we were lectured on one or all of the above. We may even have got the odd clip in the ear if we didn't listen. There were some occasions when we were made to leave the table because we were being rude. However, my mum always warmed our dinner up later and allow us to have it on our own. I considered this to be a treat rather than a punishment. I think the worse offence is talking with ones mouth full. I usually comment, 'Just say, don't spray it'.

I think this is really good meaningfull habbit. you have mentioned really good habbits. the table manners is must learning stuff and this is highly use in sol life. if we talk about table manners, i bet lots of reules include for this manners and it has some principals too.

Yes I do believe in good table manners, I was taught by my parents to always have good manners. I taught all my children to have good table manners, now they teach there children.

when i came to uk i was worried which fork is for what,i went to a party,they give me kabab in a tray, no fork nothing,and every one start eating it,i said i need to go to loo,they made joke sayin why do need to go to toilet before i eat,hey no one washed even their had.