The Matter of Manners
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| Image via VanityFair.com |
We live in a casual world today. However, not long ago, manners were at the core of everyday lives. There was a social decorum or a defined behavior appropriate for whatever occasion arose. Cross your legs at the ankle. Women should not speak to a man first. Children should be seen and not heard. Only speak when spoken to. These are some of the old adages that created a seemingly mannered world. Though these seem archaic now, there are some good lessons that deserve a rebirth like writing thank you's, always saying hello and breaking bread. As I witness the social decline of manners and attempt to teach children what is right and wrong, I realize that perhaps this may be an uphill battle as common courtesy has been blanketed by cold emails and text messages. Lisa Gaché has just written a manners manual for the modern person entitled 24 Karat Etiquette: Beverly Hills Manners to shed light on how we can regain that social awareness.
So today I will start small. Above is the standard way that a dining table should be set. All that you need to set perfect table and enjoy a meal is displayed perfectly for you. Even if you don't happen to use three different forks each night, a good table setting also beckons good table manners that should go along with it. On her manners site Gaché also gives the Top Ten Table Manners for Kids for parents which will refine your family table so bookmark it Sitting up properly, using a utensil, not a digit, to eat and asking to be excused are few tips to create a good dining atmosphere. These are skills that are appreciated on a global scale and it the present age of frequent flyers, table know-how will benefit us all.
