Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
Hello Friends!
A couple of weeks ago we had a message from member Sallyzou on the Life Goes On message board asking us to do a Real Life Lesson on table manners.
Sally, we thought this was a wonderful idea! Thanks for your feedback! I have put together some useful information on table manners for everyone to take a look below!
Dialog
1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.
2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.
Before the Meal
Your host will tell you where to sit when you come to the table. Before the meal begins many homes will say Grace. During Grace you can either join hands with the people sitting next to you at the table or keep them folded in your lap.
Before you begin eating, make sure to put your napkin in your lap!
During the Meal
Unless you are eating a formal dinner with courses, the dinner will sit in serving dishes on the table. Pass each serving dish to the right after you have helped yourself to food. Try a little bit of everything, but don’t take too much of any one dish.
Never reach across the table to help yourself to more food. If you would like to have a serving dish passed to you say, “Please pass the green beans.” After the dish has been passed to you say, “Thank you.” Remember not to talk with your mouth full!
If you need to leave the table during dinner say, “Excuse me for a moment please.”
After the Meal
When you are finished eating, thank your host or hostess for a wonderful meal. Sometimes people will sit at the table after dinner is over to talk. Other times they will go to another room in the house to socialize.
General Rules to Remember:
- Sit up straight in your chair.
- Don’t put your elbows on the table.
- Don’t burp or slurp your food!
- Never chew with your mouth open!
- Compliment the cook on the meal!
Quizzes
Lesson MP3
The iTEP® test
-
Sponsored by
Discussion
Each country has its own etiquette for table manners. The tips above will help you in most dining situations in the United States.
We would love to hear about the differences between American table manners and the table manners in your country! Please come to the Life Goes On message board and tell us about them!
Thanks again to Sally for this request, and I will write you all again next week!
Your Friend,
Tanis