Table manners in public

[helenbacque]

Table Manners. I know it’s rude to slurp from the soup bowl but I’ve never understood the rule about spooning away from the body. Miss Manners says we should but does not say why. Anyone know?

 

[Robb.hisself]

Table Manners. I know it’s rude to slurp from the soup bowl but I’ve never understood the rule about spooning away from the body. Miss Manners says we should but does not say why. Anyone know?

I guess that spooning towards the body would risk slopping it over the edge of the bowl and into your lap. Seems just logical to me. As for eating soup, my preference is to use a cup to drink from and thus warm the hands when holding it. Amongst those I typically dine with table manners is whatever you make them since fast food makes up so much of our diets these days.

 

[Pepper]

I remember as a little kid I was completely insistent that 'no elbows on the table' meant macaroni. I went on and on and on, arguing my position. What a PITA thing to do!

 

[Jamala]

Table Manners. I know it’s rude to slurp from the soup bowl but I’ve never understood the rule about spooning away from the body. Miss Manners says we should but does not say why. Anyone know?

Yep Miss Manners is correct... because... spooning a liquid away from the body prevents drips. It also looks a lot more elegant

 

[DebraMae]

Etiquette rules change over time. I doubt anyone notices which direction you are spooning your soup, In my day asparagus without sauce was to be eaten with the fingers. Try that in a restaurant today. I think the elbows on the table thing has relaxed a great deal also.

As a general rule I like Ina Garten's guidance, “Food is not about impressing people. It's about making them feel comfortable.”

 

[Wayne]

Not much manners here I just do what works for me at the time needed.

 

[MarciKS]

I think after 57 yrs of eating the same way it is a little late to worry about retraining myself. I got much bigger issues now. Like getting out of the bathtub by myself. LOL!