Table Manners

Table manners are the very important aspect of our life because every one has to eat, and meals bring people into close contact with others. It’s the time for the family and friends to sit together and find out what is going on in every body’s lives. Meal is a social occasion so most people make it a pleasant one.             Manners in any aspect mean showing respect to others and behave your best. For many people, there is a difference between family manners and company manners. A meal you eat with your family may be fairly informal. This does not mean its OK to be rude and behave uncivilized in your own dining rooms. Your family meals can be a good opportunity to practice your table manners.
           Table manners are based mostly on consideration for other people and on safety. For instance, a good reason not to put too much food in your mouth at once is that if you do, you might choke. But to others it seems that you are a greedy eater. Table manners may be different in different cultures but some of the eating habits that are hard to tolerate in any culture are: making loud eating noises; shoveling food; Licking a knife or a plate; eating before others are served.
              Family meals should always be pleasant. In today’s busy life, a meal is the only occasion when everybody gets a chance to sit together. So never sit on the dining table with a bad mood. All the gadgets that connect you to the outside world should be shut off. Attention should be paid to the family conversations and food only. Don’t hesitate to praise the person who made the food. Show respect to the elders.
                Family meal is the great opportunity to show your love and respect for your family. But when you have company, or you are invited to a meal at some one else’s home, it makes sense to pay a little more attention to the rules of politeness. If you are ever invited to dine, always remember to mind your manners. Let the parents and superiors take the seat first. Don’t be the first one to begin eating. Find no fault in the food that is served. If there is something that the host wants you to try and you don’t like that, simply say “ No, thank you.”. You don’t have to explain why you don’t want to try. Don’t spit, cough or blow your nose at the table, if it may be avoided; but if there be necessity, do it aside and without much noise. Don’t blow the hot food but wait with patience until its cool. Don’t hesitate to help the host to clean the table after the dinner is over. Your generosity will be appreciated.
                Table manners are different among different cultures. For example in Korea, its considered polite to slurp your soup and to belch at the table; this shows you have enjoyed the food. Its hard to know all the variations of polite behavior among different cultures, but you can save yourself from getting embarrassed is to follow your hosts lead. Try to fit into your host’s way of doing things.
               At the fancy restaurants and formal dinner parties, tables are set in a special way. Formal table settings usually include 3 forks and perhaps 3 knives at each place. The rule is, use the utensils that are farthest away from your plate for each course that is served. There might be lot more plates and glasses at each place than you are used to. A very tiny plate is the butter plate; a medium sized plate is for salad. Both of them will be to the left of your place setting. Your napkin will be probably folded on the empty plate at your place. Unfold the napkinand put it on your lap as soon as you sit down and keep it there through out the meal.
               That’s about using forks and knifes. But people will remember your courtesy if you send “thank you” note for giving you dinner treat. There is lot more to table manners than knowing which fork to use. Table manners is not only about how you put food in your mouth, how you chew your food, its about how you show respect and responsibility and care to others. If you know your table manners, you will be welcome at anyone’s table.