We judge other people by their table manners. I don’t mean that we are affronted when a dinner guest uses the fish fork in the salad or picks up a knife from the floor, I mean the physical act of placing food in your mouth.
First and foremost, don’t chew food with your mouth open. It’s disgusting.
Basics
- Sit up straight. Don’t lean either backward, or forward.
- No elbows on the table. You may lay your hands on the table occasionally.
- Bring the utensil with the food up to your face, don’t lower your face to the plate.
Chewing
- Place a small amount of food on your utensil. Don’t overload it so that you are forced to open your mouth very wide.
- Keep your mouth closed as you eat.
- Chew quietly.
If you eat like a slob, people will think of you as a slob.