LESSON 9.

Purpose.—To show the importance of good table manners.

Method.—An item read with or without comment or questions asked.

The Lesson.

Perhaps the question of how to eat is not of quite the importance as what to eat, but in some particulars pertaining to the laws of health the two are of equal rank. How to eat is of much more importance than many young people think, inasmuch as it is a certain test of delicacy and refinement. If a person eats immoderately fast, no one truly refined will set him down as a gentleman. If one defies the regulations which society has made relative to table manners, he is classed as decidedly ill-bred or ignorant. It is well to study the etiquette of the table, and to put in use those practices that have been decided by the best society as being proper.

Questions.—Should the rules of society as to table manners be disregarded? What does a lack of good table manners indicate? Are table manners indicative of character?

Subjects for Additional Lessons.

Deference to the Lady of the House at Table.

Suggestions.—Do not be late at the home table. Never be late when a guest. Do not take your seat at the table until the lady of the house takes hers, nor rise from the table until she gives the signal. If necessary to leave the table before the meal is over, ask to be excused of the one presiding.

Polite Phraseology of the Table.

Suggestions.—When it is desired that any article on the table be passed, a servant should be asked, if there is one near. If not, the request should be made of some one at the table, as follows: “Please pass the bread,” “I would thank you for the bread,” “Will you be kind enough to pass the bread?” etc.

When offered anything at the table, the acceptance should be accompanied by “Thank you.” If anything is declined, it should be with “No, I thank you,” or “Not any, I thank you.”

Selfishness at Table.

Suggestions.—To take the best when there is any choice in the food is to show a very selfish disposition. This does not apply when urged to do so, but to seem to wish the best is inexcusable.

Reminders.

1. Sit reasonably near the table, neither too near nor too far away. Never place the elbows on the table. Do not sit so far away as to be obliged to lean forward. Do not bend over the plate. Do not spread the elbows when cutting meat, etc.

2. Young people should wait patiently and quietly until the older ones at table have been served. While waiting to be served, the knife or fork or napkin ring, or any other table article, should be left untouched. The hands should be quietly folded in the lap until one is served. The napkin may be spread over the lap when one first sits down at the table. Gentlemen do not now tuck the napkin under the chin.

3. It is proper to begin eating as soon as served, although there should be no indecorous haste. An exception to this rule is that no one should begin to eat the dessert until all are served.

4. Do not help yourself first to anything on the table. Never put your own knife, fork, or spoon into the food except as it has been served to you. It is rude to reach across the table or to rise and reach in order to help yourself. If servants are not near, ask politely of some one at the table that the dish be passed.

5. Rapid eating is impolite and unhealthy. The mouth should not be filled too full, and the food should be thoroughly chewed. Do not chew the food so as to be heard. Do not smack the lips in eating. Do not draw in the breath when eating soup, drinking milk, tea, etc. Be careful not to show the food in your mouth. Do not attempt to eat the last drop of soup nor the last morsel of food on the plate.

6. The knife is used in cutting up the food, but it should not convey the food to the mouth. The fork should be used for this purpose. There is a proper way of holding knife and fork which can best be learned by observing some one who does it properly. Soup should be eaten from the side of the spoon.

7. When drinking tea or coffee, drink from the cup and not from the saucer. When drinking from a goblet or tumbler, be careful not to tip them too much. It is not in good form to throw the head back and invert the tumbler. It is not well to drink much water while eating.

8. If necessary to eject anything from the mouth while eating, use the fork in conveying it from the mouth to the plate. Fruit stones may be removed with the fingers and placed upon the plate.

9. When salt is taken from the salt-cellar, it should be put on the plate and not on the table-cloth. Vegetables should be eaten with a fork, if possible, rather than with a spoon. When small dishes are used in serving vegetables, fruit, etc., they should not be taken in the hand, but left on the table.

10. It is a disputed question what to do with the knife and fork when the plate is passed for a second supply. It seems the better plan not to leave them on the plate, as they are liable to fall off or to be in the way, but to hold them in the right hand, or to place them on the table in such a manner as not to soil the cloth.

11. Do not use a tooth-pick in public. It is a common practice, but not with the best-bred people. Never indulge in the disgusting practice of removing bits of food from the teeth with the tongue or fingers. The teeth should receive attention in private.