A friend of mine has an eight year old daughter Priya*. She’s an angel — sweet, well–mannered and smart. The other day, all of us sat down for dinner. While her younger brother Raj was quiet, polite and finished his meal without much fuss, Priya ate messily, talked throughout the meal and then proceeded to douse her mother with a glass of water. As expected, her embarrassed mother sent her off to bed early, without dessert, as punishment. Here are 10 golden rules that Priya and you should follow in the future:
Ten golden rules for the table
Wash your hands before sitting down.
Wait till everyone has served themselves before you start eating.
Sit straight; do not slouch over your plate.
Don’t put your elbows on the table. Make sure your left hand remains on your lap at all times.
Always ask for a dish to be passed, never stretch across the table.
If you are eating with your hands, do not get food all over your fingers, palm and wrist.
Do not spill food; chew slowly and carefully. Do not make crunchy noises, gobble, or talk when you have food in your mouth — no one wants a display of the half-chewed cud. Chew with your mouth closed.
Don’t play with your hair, watch TV, or read a book — it takes your attention off your food and you make a mess.
Always ask your parent if you can help in setting or clearing the table; if you have a sibling, share the chore.
If you finish your meal before others and want to leave the table, always ask, “May I be excused?” And don’t forget to push your chair back in before you run off.
Bonus: Always thank the person who has cooked the delicious meal! It will earn you brownie points and if you’re lucky, even an extra helping of dessert!
