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Some things every lady should know before coming to the table:
A lady says please and thank you, especially to servers, in a restaurant or in a private home.
A lady does not wolf down her food.
A lady does not slurp her soup.
A lady does not eat more food than she can comfortably digest.
A lady does not attempt to cool her food by blowing on it. If she fears singeing her taste buds, she lets her food cool gradually and undisturbed in its own bowl or on its own plate.
Whether she is an invited guest or the host at a restaurant party, a lady shows up on time.
A lady does not apply makeup at the table.
If a lady is offered a second helping, she may accept it if she wishes.
When a lady chews, she chews quietly.
If she is given the opportunity to serve herself, either at a family-style dinner party or at a buffet, a lady does
not overload her plate.
A lady never argues with a server, whether at a restaurant or at a private party.
A lady does not overstay her welcome.
In any aspect of her life, but especially at the dinner table, a lady does not bite off more than she can chew.
Once a lady has finished stirring her cup of coffee or tea, she places her spoon on her saucer. A lady never places a damp or soiled utensil directly on the table or tablecloth.
A lady does not chop up her salad with her knife and fork before proceeding to eat it. If the salad is not served in easily-eaten pieces, she cuts it into one bite-sized piece at a time, as she eats it.
A lady will find the knives and spoons arranged on the right side of her plate and the forks on her left side. On all occasions, a lady assumes that she begins by using the utensils farthest from her plate. This means when she is presented with her first course, she uses the fork and knife farthest from her plate. Once the course has been completed, she leaves that course’s utensils on her plate. As each new course arrives, she uses the utensils that are closer and closer to her plate.
A lady does not talk with her mouth full.
A lady does not chew with her mouth open, nor does she smack her lips, no matter how delicious her food may be.
A lady makes as little noise as possible while eating.
A lady does not chomp on ice.
A lady does not pick her teeth at the table.
A lady keeps her napkin in her lap while she is eating.
A lady sits up straight, especially at the table.
A lady keeps her elbows off the table when a meal is underway.
If a lady finds she has breadcrumbs on her blouse, she brushes them away.
A lady does not play with her food, kneading her bread with her fingers or stirring the last uneaten morsels of her dinner about on her plate.
A lady does not lean back in her chair.
A lady does not leave the table without asking to be excused.
When a lady leaves the table, she need not explain her reason for asking to be excused.
A lady tries her best not to belch or burp at the table.
If a lady must belch or burp at the table, she covers her mouth with her napkin.
A lady never blows her nose at the table.
Excerpt from A Lady At The Table, by Sheryl Shade.
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