Good Manners & Courtesy School ~ Table Manners Classroom

The final and last session of the Good Manners & Courtesy School is the Table Manners Classroom.

This has some dining tips and also a map of how to set the table. I found some of the table settings guidelines from the website: Basic Table Setting, Informal Table Setting and Formal Table Setting.

Generally there is a few Guidelines while eating at a Nice Restaurant:

• No one should begin eating until everyone at the table has been served, except at a buffet or long banquet table, and then wait for those immediately around you.
• Start using silverware at the outside and work in toward plate. Largest spoon is soup spoon. Silverware you have used is NEVER put on table (could stain cloth).
• Hold forks and spoons like a pencil, not a shovel.
• Do not blow on food to cool.
• NO SLURPING or GULPING sounds. SHHHH
• You are obligated to try everything.
• Take bites small enough to be chewed and swallowed in a short time
• Chicken, fries, bread to soak up gravy – use utensil, not fingers unless no utensils are provided

DON’T DRAW ATTENTION TO ANYTHING UNPLEASANT:

• Wipe lips with napkin before drinking (no grease on rim of glass)
• Never touch or style your hair at the table.
• If you must leave the table during dinner, do so without a big explanation.
• Inedible meat, shell, bones etc.: Keep chin level, use thumb and forefinger to quickly remove from mouth and place discretely on plate (never in napkin). Don’t look at anyone while doing it.

I would have the children practice setting up their own place using the proper format. We set the table with plates, cups, napkins and forks (you could do spoons and knives too) and had the children sit down.

I asked them what they should do with their napkins and then taught them how to properly use it.  While they were setting the table, we also discussed and acted out the scenario using good table manners at restaurant, party other than at home.

I am still thinking that we should have a proper meal at one of the restaurant these days, so that Issac and Annabelle able to put the theories we studied into practice and action.

We can have fun too while having our meal and lesson at the same time. Hope can plan it out as one of our weekend dinner ^^ together with Daddy!