Children table manners

We live in a competitive world. Etiquette is the one thing that we can offer our children that’s unfortunately not all that common and yet really important.

One hundred years ago, manners were a way to distinguish one’s self as belonging to a higher social class. But today, etiquette is more about blending in and being respectful. Now days, you want to know how to conduct yourself properly, that empowers you and gives you confidence.

Some parents hope that developing good manners at an early age will pay off down the road when their children enter the workforce. Increasingly, recruiters meet potential employees at cocktail parties and networking events before conducting a formal job interview. The way young people carry themselves could mean the difference between getting hired and loosing out to other equally qualified twenty somethings.

So what are the most important dinner table manners and etiquette for children (and everyone!) to know?

Please and thank you

These two important phrases are the cornerstone of good manners, period, and extend to table manners. They show gratitude and appreciation instead of entitlement.

When the family gathers together, it is an opportunity for the children to learn courtesy by saying 'please' or 'thank you' or waiting to speak until someone else is finished. Dinner-table interactions are a good time to learn respect as each person has the opportunity to share something about his or her day.

Chewing

Etiquette experts agree that one of the most important dinner table manners to teach is to chew with your mouth closed. Encourage your children to do so by doing it yourself, and even showing them how. After all, no one wants to see what's in there.

Speaking (without food)

Another important element of proper table manners that etiquette experts recommend is to never speak with your mouth full. This goes hand-in-hand with chewing with your mouth closed. At best, it's distracting to speak to someone who has food in their mouth - and it can also be hard to understand people with food in their mouth. At worst, it's very unappealing, to say the least.

Table skills

From where silverware should be placed to how it should be used, knowing your way around the place setting is important in manners and etiquette. Knowing how to properly hold and use a fork and knife not only gives a child a sense of accomplishment and independence, it also allows a parent to better enjoy the meal. The parents can also be assured that their child will impress any adults they eat with. It is also important to know how to eat in a clean manner.

Consideration

Above all, good table manners are about consideration - recognizing that you aren't alone at the table and what you do affects others. The most important lesson in good table etiquette is always being aware of your actions and understanding that you share the dining experience with every diner at the table.

Few more tips:

• Don’t bring anything to the dinner table that doesn’t need to be there. This includes electronics, toys, backpacks – all of it is distracting and takes away from what should be the primary focus, the people in front of you.
• Don’t start eating until everyone’s seated and served.
• Don’t grab food or reach across the table for a bowl, ask for someone to pass it to you.
  
  

In a globalized economy, young people can’t afford to be ill-mannered. Recent graduates aren’t just competing against their classmates they’re competing against students from US, China and the Middle East, where demand for classes on Western etiquette (continental style) is huge. Even amongst Asian and Middle Eastern communities in UK, proper behaviour is highly valued.

Parents should make sure etiquette is a positive experience by incorporating games, stickers or interesting historical facts behind the traditions. Doing so can be especially helpful when trying to engage young boys.