This document outlines 12 good table manners to follow when eating with others. It recommends sitting up straight, not speaking with your mouth full, chewing quietly without slurping, keeping bites small, eating at a leisurely pace, not waving utensils in the air, keeping elbows off the table, not reaching across the table, saying "please" and "thank you", excusing oneself when leaving the table, complimenting the cook, and wiping one's mouth with a napkin. Following these common sense manners ensures guests and hosts are comfortable and conversations can flow smoothly during meals.

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2. Good table manners are:
— important because they ensure that both guests and
hosts are comfortable at the table.
— are mostly common sense.
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4. 1. Sit up straight.
— Try not to slouch or lean
back in your chair.
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5. 2. Don't speak with your mouth
full of food.
— no one likes to see a ball
of masticated meat in
your mouth.
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6. 3. Chew quietly, and try not to
slurp.
— Making noises is not
only unappetizing, and
distracting, but it can
also interrupt the flow of
conversation.
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7. 4. Keep bites small.
— it is smart to keep bite
sizes to a moderate
forkful.
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8. 5. Eat at a leisurely pace.
— It is good for the
digestion
— It shows your host that
you want to enjoy the
food and the company.
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9. 6. Don't wave utensils in the air,
— especially knives or if
there is food on them.
— You might knock over
glasses, pierce waiters or
launch a pea into the eye
of your date.
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10. 7. Keep your elbows off the table.
— Elbows take up table
space and can be a
danger in knocking
plates or glasses.
— Elbows on the table give
you something to lean
on and tend to lull you
into slouching.
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11. 8. Don't Reach.
— Not only is it as
impolite, but there is
always the possibility of
upsetting glasses or
running your sleeve
through someone's
mashed potatoes.
Dad, please pass
the bread
basket.
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12. 9. Don't forget “please” and
“thank you”.
— These are handy words
in most situations, but
especially vital at the
table where common
courtesies are noticed by
everyone present.
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13. 10. Excuse yourself when leaving
the table.
— You don't want people
to think that you are
tired of their company.
— If you must leave the
table, make your excuses
somewhat obvious and
appear to be pressing.
Excuse
me.
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14. 11. Compliment the Cook.
— Even if the food is
perfectly awful, say
something nice.
— You don't have to lie,
simply find the positive
side of the burnt food.
— It is always pleasant to
end a meal on a positive
note.
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15. 12. Wipe your mouth with your
napkin.
— Ever notice that
disgusting smudge on
the edge of your glass?
This can be avoided by
first wiping your lips
with your napkin.
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