Common Family Food Label Mistakes
There are so few family dinners today that table manners have fallen by the wayside and family dinner is fast becoming a rare treat rather than a common ritual at the end of the day. However, with some organization and an emphasis on table etiquette, family dinners can become an oasis of tranquility where members can reconnect and share the day’s events. Learn about the five most common areas where etiquette errors occur in family meals so you can correct behavior in yourself and in children.
Chaos on the table
Everyone should come to the table after washing their hands and straightening up. Muddy shirts and dirty hands have no place at the table. Each child should be assigned a place and respectfully sit while the last meal is put on the table. If your tradition is a family prayer, family members should be respectful during your offering. Napkins should be placed on your lap and should never be used to wipe your face or blow your nose.
Inadequate service
On the dinner table etiquette, food should be taken from ordinary bowls and placed in small portions on the plate. Serving bowls should also be passed from left to right. No family member should start eating until everyone is seated and each family member has been served. It’s rude to start eating before you get through it all.
Sloppy eating
Children and adults are guilty of chewing with their mouths open, getting too deep in their mouths, and licking clean utensils. Other offenses include thumb sucking, reaching for another portion of the table, and making rude comments about a food.
Bad conversation
An important part of the dining experience is having a good conversation. However, talking and eating can be difficult for children to handle. No one should speak with food in their mouth and interrupting another conversation is also bad table etiquette. When asking to pass a serving plate, the person should get the attention of another person by saying their name and then requesting that the food be passed to them. There should always be “please” and “thank you” in every request or response. Offensive noises such as belching or slapping should be eliminated. Also, adults and children should never answer the phone during dinner.
Early departure after lunch.
When someone finishes eating, it is rude to jump off the table. Good table manners require the person to ask the host or parent if they can be excused. Parents often instill the rule that the child must leave their own plate, utensils, and glasses in the dishwashing area as part of the outing.