Proper Table Manners Getting Lost

1w ago1 min read

Took the family to dinner last night and watched a teenage kid at the next table eating with his elbows on the table, phone in one hand, fork in the other. His parents said nothing. It bothered me more than it probably should have but man, when did we stop caring about how we present ourselves? My dad would have corrected that immediately. I make my kids eat without phones, napkins in their laps, elbows off the table. Seems like basic respect for the meal and the people around you but apparently I'm raising weirdos. Anyone else think this stuff still matters or is it really just outdated?

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Comments(4)

MMatt B.Regular1w ago

Table manners are dying and honestly it bothers me too. We drill this stuff with our kids at home and then they go to a friend's house and see everyone eating like animals. You gotta keep reinforcing it though. It sticks eventually.

JJosh M.Regular1w ago

Kids don't learn this stuff if nobody teaches them. We make dinner a big deal at our house specifically so my three get comfortable with proper eating. It's not stuffy, it's just basics. Forks, napkins, not talking with your mouth full.

AAdam R.Regular1w ago

Elbows off the table is a small thing but it's part of the whole picture of teaching kids how to carry themselves in the world. That teenager at the next table probably never had anyone show him better.

MMikeNew Dad1w ago

The elbow thing is wild. My parents were strict about this and I thought it was annoying at the time but now I'm doing the exact same thing with my kids. It's one of those lessons that actually matters.