How are your table manners? (The cruise got me to thinking about mine)

[Quicksilver]

Do not play with the table utensils or crumble the bread.

Do not put your elbows on the table, or sit too far back, or lounge

Do not talk loud or boisterously

Be cheerful in conduct or conversation

Never, if possible, cough or sneeze at the table.

Never tilt back your chair while at the table, or at any other time.

Do not talk when the mouth is full

Never make a noise while eating

Do not open the mouth while chewing, but keep the lips closed. It is not
necessary to show people how you masticate your food.

Never indicate that you notice anything unpleasant in the food.

Do not break your bread into the soup, nor mix with gravy. It is bad taste to mix food on the plate.

Never leave the table before the rest of the family or guests, without asking the host or hostess to excuse you.

Eat soup with the side of the spoon, without noise.

The fork is used to convey the food to the mouth, except when a spoon is necessary for liquids.

Raw oysters are eaten with a fork.

If you wish to be served with more tea or coffee, place your spoon in your saucer.

Tea or coffee should never be poured into the saucer to cool, but sipped from the cup.

If a dish is presented to you, serve yourself first and then pass it on.

Never allow butter, soup or other food to remain on your whiskers

Never wear gloves at the table, unless your hands are for some special reason unfit to be seen.

Never, when serving others, overload the plate nor force upon them delicacies which they decline.

Never make a great display when removing hair, insects or other disagreeable things from your food. Place them quietly under the edge of your plate.

Eat Cheese with a fork, not a knife

Ask a servant in a low tone for what you want

Break your bread, do not cut it.

Eat fruit with silver knives and forks

If you prefer, take up asparagus with the fingers. Olives and artichokes are always so eaten

If a course is set before you that you do not wish, do not touch it.

It is not your business to reprove the waiter for improper conduct; that belongs to your host.

A gentleman must help a lady whom he has escorted to the table, to all she wishes; but it is improper for him to offer to help other ladies who have escorts

Use a napkin only for your mouth. Never use it for your nose, face or forehead.

It is very rude to pick your teeth at the table. If it becomes necessary to do so, hold your napkin over your mouth.

Added by me ( Don't blow your nose at the table) Don't pass gas at the table.

[noncom23]

Smacking. Well educated, adults, smacking...grrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

[vinuneuro]

I only smack the balloons given to me.

[jwilburn]

OMG yes, no smacking please! Ugh! That is almost the worst, after talking with your mouth full.

As for elbows, you can place them on the table but only between courses.

Bread, only pull off and butter the portion you are going to eat right then.

Pass to the right. If someone asks for the salt, its in good manners to pass the salt and pepper just in case.

Lastly, finger bowls are for fingers. Please do not drink it.

[SuperGreg]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

Do not play with the table utensils or crumble the bread...

I passed with flying colors

Let me add one:

- If you are ready to have your plate removed from the table, turn your fork upside down and place it on the plate.

[vinuneuro]

I know a lot of this common sense, but still...the rest is a bit much to remember.

[Quicksilver]

Well if your on a cruise during formal night it might be a good idea to stuff
the list in you pocket.

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

I know a lot of this common sense, but still...the rest is a bit much to remember.

[blondboinsd]

I can pass that, sober, now drunk, that's another story!

[Michelle]

I have one to add:

Never criticize the dinner your guest orders (because it's not in your diet)...especially in front of the waiter/waitress.

[Michelle]

Originally Posted by blondboinsd

I can pass that, sober, now drunk, that's another story!