List of some table manners and social graces at the table

Table Manners are acceptable rules and practices related to the partaking of food.

Here are some generally accepted table manners.

• Come to the dining table neatly and appropriately.
• Be on time for meals. Do not make others wait for you. Being prompt is courtesy for those with whom you will share a meal.
• Take or leave your seat from the left side of the chair.
• Sit properly while eating. Sit erect with feet on the floor. Avoid putting your elbows or arms on the table. Keep them to your sides.
• The napkin should be placed half-folded on the lap before you start eating. Fold it back on the left side on the plate after meal. If paper napkins are used, they should be slightly crumpled and left beside the plate.
• Use a serving spoon or fork to help you get food from a service tray.
• Take small bites. Chew the food slowly and with lips closed. Avoid talking with a full mouth.
• Sipping the soup should be slow and noiseless. When taking soup, dip the spoon away from you. Sip the soup from the side of the spoon.
• Lift a cup by its handle with one hand.
• Avoid making unnecessary noise with your silverware.
• Ask politely for food to be passed. Avoid reaching for food across the table. See to it that the food is passed to others if they ask.
• Avoid using fork in taking bread or cookies from a plate, use your fingers instead. Using your fingers, break the bread in small pieces and spread each bite with butter or jelly, if served.
• Avoid picking your teeth with a toothpick while at the dining table. It should be done in private. If it becomes necessary, cover your mouth with a napkin.
• Place the knife, spoon, or pork on the plate after each use to avoid spotting the table cover. When you are finish eating, leave your knife, spoon, and fork near each other, across the center of the plate.
• Try to finish eating at the same time as the others. If you have to leave ahead of the others, ask politely to be excused.