Etiquette at the table

 So today I want to talk about table etiquette more so some tips on how to eat properly and why its important. What inspired me to write this was because on Saturday March 24, 2012 I went on a trip with my college prep program (Upward Bound) to Shady Maple (The Smorgasbord) and to see West Side Story: The Play in Hershey PA. While we were dining in at the Smorgasbord which is basically an all you can eat buffet in other terms, they were serving New York Strip Steak fresh off the grill. Honestly I think it was the bottom of the line quality because the top notch steak is usually thicker with a lean cut and less fat around the sides. So my friend Tariq decides to get a piece of steak that I noticed had quite alot of fat around the sides but im sure he didnt have any knowledge of the steak because if that were me I would have put that back. As he sat down, I was already into my meal and I couldnt help but notice his flimsy piece of steak. I glanced at my steak for a brief second and looked over at his and watched him cut his steak but, the funny part is he wasnt cutting the meat itself, he was cutting a piece of fat. I cannot lie, I watched this boy shove a large piece of fat into his mouth and I begin to die into laughter immediately. I couldnt believe it but it was so hilarious that I had to say something and he eventually spit the piece of fat out. I was literally shaking my head for 2 minutes and decided that I had to blog about this. With that being said I would like to share some pointers on how to have proper table etiquette.

Table Manners Tip #1 - Excusing Yourself

 When you feel the need to use the restroom or do something simple like make a phone call, its not your obligation to tell the guests where you are going but to easily say something along the lines of " excuse me, ill be back" does it. Even sometimes in certain situations you can also give a brief explanation saying something like " Excuse me one second while I check on my little brother" is also appropriate.

Table Manners Tip #2 - Posture

 Slouching back in your chair (which makes it look as if you're not interested in the meal) is bad table manners when eating with others.

Table Manners Tip #3 - Elbows

 When I was younger, my elders would always get on me about this, maybe it was that I couldn't reach the table all the way. As for not putting your elbows on the table applies only when you are actually eating. It's a different story a meal isn't being served; in fact.Putting your elbows on the table while leaning forward a bit during a mealtime conversation shows that you're listening to the person you are engaged in conversation with.

Table Manners Tip #4 - Fidgeting

When waiting for the food to arrive or after the meal, you may want to keep your hands in your lap, if only to resist the temptation of playing with the utensils. Try not to  tap your fingernails, jiggle your knees, or other fidgety habits, and always keep your hands away from your hair.

Table Manners Tip #5 - Cutting Food

 Cut your food into only one or two bite-sized pieces at a time. Doing this prevents your food from drying out too soon, also a plateful of cut-up food can look unattractive. (The exception to the rule is when you help a young child cut his food.)

Table Manners Tip #6 - Seasoning Food

When at a dinner party or restaurant, proper table manners dictate that you taste your food before seasoning it. When people do things like  sprinkling a dish with a bunch of salt or drowning it in ketchup implies that you think the cook's dish needs improvement.

Table Manners Tip #7 - Chewing Food

Once you start to eat, don't  bite off more than you can chew. Not only can you choke but it can make your jaws tired.Take a bite that you know you can handle, chew it completely, and swallow it before taking another. Keep in mind that smacking, slurping, and burping are no no's. When you have a mouthful of food, it is bad table manners to do two more things: taking a drink and talking. If you have more than a few words to say, swallow your food first.

Table Manners Tip #8 - Reaching

I don't care if it's a biscuit, you should not reach over another person's food just to get what you need, that's really inconsiderate. If you're not within easy reach of your arm when you're leaning don't lean past the person sitting next to you. Asking the person to pass the item to you is much easier than risking putting your elbow in someone's plate of mashed potatoes.