How you act at the dinner table at home can be far different from whats acceptable in public or at someone elses house. Kids dont have to be all prim and proper constantly, especially when theyre at home. But when youre away from home theres a certain standard that were all held to in front of others. If you want your child to know how to act at a table other than your own its important to teach him or her basic table manners.
Its easiest to teach kids proper etiquette when they are young. Forgive mistakes quickly, correct the child, then move on with the meal. Kids will have fun learning table manners if you make it into somewhat of a game. Announce once a week or so that youll be having a "proper" dinner. Teach them the rules of the game: Teach kids where each table setting piece goes. Teach them that, while playing the game, the items must be always placed back in the same spot. So, if they take a drink, the glass must be returned to its original place. Whatever silverware they use, these too, must be returned to their destined place. Before ever setting the table or eating each person absolutely must wash his hands! No one at the table should ever reach in front of someone else for anything. Instead, ask if that person will "Please pass the whatever". Always say "Thank-you" when anything is passed to you. Never take a huge portion of anything; go back for seconds if you want but start with a normal portion.
Place your napkin on your lap and never wad it up - even when using it. If you need a clean area on the napkin simply and discreetly fold it to another side. Do not place your napkin on the table. No one wants to see smears of assorted-colored foods on a wadded napkin! No sounds at the table other than normal conversation sounds! No belching, gas-passing, singing, humming, shouting - and of course, no scratching! No elbows on the table, of course. Absolutely never fix your ponytail, remove a hair tie or otherwise play with your hair. No swinging your foot or leg, wriggling, or getting in and out of your chair. And never, ever, go under the table! Kids love to crawl under tables but this is reprehensible behavior when out in pubic or at someones house for dinner. Even if you dont like a particular food that is being served do not say anything about it. Its okay to make comments about how good something looks or smells but never say "I dont like green beans" or "Ew, whats that?" If you cant think of anything to say thats nice just say nothing at all. Pass the dish along to the next person without taking any. Stay at the table until the meal is over, but if you must leave the table for a few minutes, excuse yourself to everyone by simply saying "Please excuse me". Otherwise, stay, eat, and participate in the conversation at the table. Never just shovel food into your mouth without having conversation with the others. Insisting that your child learn good manners, even if you dont enforce some of them at home, is a must. Good table manners are needed with any type of social life, in a business setting as well as to maintain friends. Without them, kids can grow up to be looked down upon for something they dont even know theyre doing wrong!
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