15 Table manners for your child to ace
Avoid calling negative attention to your family by teaching your child good table manners
POLOKWANE – Every parent wants to equip their child with the tools to succeed in the world. One of these tools includes proper table manners.
Whether you are dining at home, in a restaurant, good table manners is a focus point of every meal. Good table manners in children will ultimately show respect for themselves and others and equip them to handle social interaction, a tool which will serve them well as they grow up.
With this in mind Cindy Kruger, a house mother at Hope for Children, recently held a grooming session for the young girls, teaching them basic table etiquette.
“Table manners can be used wherever and whenever,” she says.
Here are a few important manners to teach your child:
1. Always place your napkin on your lap. “Use the napkin to wipe you mouth and fingertips.”
2. Please put your cellphone off or on silent. “Cellphones are disturbing while you are in a conversation. Don’t even look at it while dining.”
3. Avoid slouching. “Sit up straight and look alive and interested in the conversation around you. During courses your elbows may rest on the table, but not while you are eating.”
4. When eating bread, you should break of a small piece and smear margarine on it. “Don’t cover your whole slice with margarine.”
5. Wait until every one has been served before starting to eat.
6. If you need the salt or pepper, do not reach out for it, rather ask.”
7. Do not cut up the whole piece of food at once, but cut off only the piece you would like to eat.
8. The more courses during the meal, the more cutlery. Start by using them from the outside in.
9. If you are not served finger food, use your utensils.
10. Interact with the people you are dining with. “Even if you do not talk to them, listen to what they say and show interest.”
11. Even if you do not like the food placed in front of you, try to make a point in eating. “Do not refuse a plate of food when it is placed in front of you. Even if you eat just a little bit.
12. It is okay to leave some of the food on your plate.
13. Always chew with your mouth closed and don’t drink with food in your mouth.
14. Always say please and thank you.
15. Do not pick your teeth at the table.
If you really do not know what to do, just watch the host or hostess, Cindy concludes.
