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Thread: Table manners - What's important

  1. #11
    Yppej
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    Cover your mouth should specify by coughing into your sleeve, not on your hand clapped over your mouth. I learned this during the bird flu epidemic.

  2. #12
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    Watch the host or hostess for clues.
    Don't begin eating until they do.

    Especially if you don't agree with something, find a respectful way to state your point of view. If you don't make any headway with a true exchange of ideas, promptly change the subject to something safer.

    Along that same line, perhaps come armed with one or two topics to discuss. Current events, hobbies, favorite vacation activity - whatever you feel is on a level of getting the ball rolling without being too personal.

  3. #13
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    This entire thread makes me tired. Not that I’m anti-manners - but it’s just so unimportant to me ... I’m much more interested in hearing interesting ideas. The list of rules makes it seem that looking and acting the part are more important than the content of one’s thoughts.

  4. #14
    Senior Member iris lilies's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tammy View Post
    This entire thread makes me tired. Not that I’m anti-manners - but it’s just so unimportant to me ... I’m much more interested in hearing interesting ideas. The list of rules makes it seem that looking and acting the part are more important than the content of one’s thoughts.
    Social niceties smooth human communication. Someone coughing in my face turns me off hearing their ideas because their physical presence is prominent. Someone eating like an animal makes it hard for me to respect their intellectual content.

    Although granted, eating chicken with fingers doesnt much matter.

  5. #15
    Senior Member jp1's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by goldensmom View Post
    Me too along with eating anything, other than a sandwich, with fingers or hands.
    What about french fries? Not trying to be snarky, but I have a friend who would eat them with a fork. Just curious if you have his point of view or just didn't think of fries when posting.

  6. #16
    Senior Member jp1's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by iris lilies View Post
    Social niceties smooth human communication. Someone coughing in my face turns me off hearing their ideas because their physical presence is prominent. Someone eating like an animal makes it hard for me to respect their intellectual content.

    Although granted, eating chicken with fingers doesnt much matter.
    I'm not a super mannersy person. I do catch myself putting elbows on the table from time to time. And I couldn't care less what utensil someone uses. But I agree with certain basics. Covering one's mouth/nose when coughing/sneezing and so forth. I don't remember it but apparently my mother could barely eat when we visited my paternal grandparents because my grandfather ate with his mouth open. That, to me, is understandable. Toward that end I also prefer to have some sort of background music when people are eating. The general sounds of people masticating their food grosses me out.

  7. #17
    Senior Member Rogar's Avatar
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    I consider a good host/hostess will prepare enough for seconds for the main course and sides. Taking small amounts of seconds is a compliment to the cooking.

    I don't see people placing napkins in their laps much these days. I still consider it good manners, though the practical function may be lost on me since I rarely see people spilling food.

    I've had more than one dinner diminished by cell phones. Some one takes out a cell to show a photo of poochie and next thing you know all the cell phones are out looking at the discography of the Rolling Stones instead of good conversation.

  8. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by iris lilies View Post
    The low class behavior I see most often is poor posture with the eater hunching overhis plate, elbows on table and often one arm cradleing his plate, and shoving in food quickly.
    Iris Lilies - you are SO right about this one! I forgot how my brother used to do this as a teen and college guy. I felt like I would get growled at and perhaps bitten if I got too close to his cereal.

  9. #19
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    Quote Originally Posted by JaneV2.0 View Post
    That's one reason I like Ethiopian restaurants--they're an all-hands-on-deck free for all. And also, I love the food...
    My brother introduced me to this tasty and fun cuisine. He and his fiancee liked it so much they had it catered at their wedding. Unusual and a big hit.

  10. #20
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    More points could have been added. I agree with several items posted here.

    My list prints out to a single page. I didn't want to overwhelm the students and have them reject the entire list.

    And I wanted them to focus on respect and common sense rather than having them memorize a longer list.

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