MANNERS AT THE TABLE.
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| Promptness in coming to the table. When to be seated. Waiting one's turn to be helped. Beginning to eat before others. Asking for articles of food,—how, when, and where. Criticism of food on the table. Use of napkin, knife, fork, and spoon. Haste in eating. Attention to wants of others. Conduct in case of accidents. Mention of unpleasant subjects. Use of toothpick. When and how to leave the table. Quietness of movement. Observance of table manners in others. |
LESSON VI.
MANNERS AT THE TABLE.
It is not polite to linger after being called to the table. When the bell is rung, or any other summons given, it is to be supposed that the meal is ready, and the call should be promptly obeyed. Food does not improve by waiting, and unnecessary delay is rudeness to the persons at whose table we sit, whether our own parents or strangers. When we know the hours for meals we should plan to be ready for them.
Until the lady of the house takes her seat, other persons should not take theirs. In taking our seats we should be careful not to jar the table.
Each one should quietly wait his turn to be helped. Children sometimes pass their plates as soon as they are seated, or begin to handle knife, fork, and spoon as if they were in hungry haste. They should wait for visitors and older persons to be helped first, and brothers should wait for their sisters. A story is told of a little girl, five years old, who at a large dinner party was overlooked until the company had finished the first course. She waited before her empty plate in perfect quietness until some one noticed her,—bravely trying to keep back the tears,—because she thought it was the polite and proper thing to do. This was carrying polite waiting further than was necessary, but was much better than the rude haste too common among children.
It is polite to wait until all or nearly all are helped before beginning to eat; and children should never begin before older people.