Joyful Art

One of the first things French people will tell you, when asked about Americans, is how Americans gobble their food. It drives them crazy.

The English will timidly ask, "Are the portions really as large as we hear?"

It's rather embarrassing.

It's something we moms and dads can do something about. First, by modeling mannerly eating habits and proper table etiquette, and secondly, by teaching them to our children, however long it may take. 

My children - and my husband - have heard me say time and time and time again, when pointing out etiquette at the dinner table, "If you ever eat with the President of the United States, you will be grateful to know these things." 

I have added the Queen of England to that statement, just in case.

Yes, eyes roll. But on more than one occasion of fine dining, I have been pleasantly surprised to see my Viking children using exquisite etiquette. Napkins and hands in laps (except in France, where hands are to be seen, a holdover from days of old when a weapon could be lurking beneath the tabletop), no elbows on the table when eating, correct utensils used in the correct order, politeness to the wait staff, bodily noises kept in check, enjoyment of food carefully eaten in small increments, please and thank-you's, consideration when passing food, inside voices used at all times. You get the idea. 

The kids - all adults now - enjoy these special occasions tremendously. A thing of beauty.

Find an etiquette book that covers table manners.

Read it.

Learn it.

Teach it.

You'll be doing the world an incredible lot of good.

Dining - whether a quick meal or a leisurely one - nourishes the spirit as well as the body in its joyful art.