Good Manners For All Occasions
by Margaret E. Sangster,
by Margaret E. Sangster,
was published in 1910.
Here is an excerpt from the book about Table Etiquette:
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| Mrs. Sangster At Home |
"Set yourself in an upright position — not too close to nor yet
too far from the table.
Take your napkin, partially unfold it, and lay it across your
lap. It is not the correct thing to fasten it to your buttonhole
or spread it over your breast.
Do not trifle with your knife or fork, or drum on the table,
or fidget in any way, while waiting to be served.
Keep your hands quietly in your lap, your mind composed
and pleasantly fixed upon the conversation. Let all your
movements be easy and deliberate. Undue haste indicates a
nervous lack of ease.
Should grace be said, you will give the most reverent
attention in respectful silence during the ceremony.
Exhibit no impatience to be served. During the intervals
between the courses is your opportunity for displaying your
conversational abilities to those sitting near you. Pleasant
chat and witty remarks compose the best possible sauce to a
good dinner.
Eat slowly ; it will contribute to your good health as well as
your good manners. Thorough mastication of your food is
necessary to digestion. An ordinary meal should occupy from
thirty minutes to an hour. You may not desire the soup, which is usually the first
course, but you should not refuse to take it. You can eat as
much or as little as you please, but you would look awkward sitting with nothing before you while the others are eating.
When eating soup take it from the side of the spoon, and
avoid making any noise in so doing.
Should you be asked by the host what part of the fowl
you prefer, always have a choice, and mention promptly which
you prefer. Nothing is more annoying than to have to serve
two or three people who have no preferences and will take
"anything."
Never place waste matter on the tablecloth. The side of
your plate, or perhaps your bread and butter plate, will answer
as a receptacle for bones, potato skins, etc.
You will use your fork to convey all your food to your
mouth, except it may be certain sauces that would be more
conveniently eaten with a spoon. For instance, you should
not attempt to eat peas with anything except a silver fork.If there is none, use a spoon.
The knife is used only for cutting meat and other articles
of food, for spreading butter on bread, etc. Here is a summary of blunders to avoid :
Do not eat fast.
Do not make noise with mouth or throat.
Do not fill the mouth too full.
Do not open the mouth in masticating.
Do not leave the table with food in your mouth.
Be careful to avoid soiling the cloth.
Never carry any part of the food with you from the table.
Never apologize to a waitress for making trouble; it is her
business to serve you. It is proper, however, to treat her with
courtesy, and say, "No, I thank you," or "If you please," in
answer to her inquiries.
Do not introduce disgusting or unpleasant topics of conversation.
Do not pick your teeth or put your finger in your mouth at
the table.
Do not come to table in your shirt sleeves, or with soiled
hands or tousled hair.
Do not cut your bread ; break it.
Do not refuse to take the last piece of bread or cake ; it
looks as though you imagined there might be no more.
Do not express a preference for any part of a dish unless
asked to do so." 
Do we lack table manners nowadays?
Is any of this still taught?
Should it be?
What do you think?
