Do you know how to set a table properly? If you have children, do they know how to do this? Have you taken the time to teach this skill to your child/children? This is a basic skill that we all sometimes take for granted. Our child/children are old enough at age three to four to start learning the basics of setting a table.
The basic rule in etiquette is to be gracious and respectful. If I am a guest in a home and unconsciously notice that
the table is set incorrectly, obviously the gracious thing to do is to do or say nothing. It’s just like the dentist meeting someone and noticing their teeth or the landscaper noticing a yard that’s unattended. It’s not a conscious thing they are doing. That’s their business. Since I teach dining skills, I do notice the table setting. It’s just an automatic thing. I am never judging the person at all. I would never say or do anything in this situation. The last thing I would want to do is insult my host. Remember having etiquette is about being respectful.
Teaching your children how to set the table is a great lesson and can be a fun one. This is a skill I teach in my classes, and the children really enjoy learning this.
Questions or comments are always appreciated.
Ginny Brown
The Etiquette School of Northeast Georgia
Hoschton, Georgia (Hamilton Mill area, Dacula, GA)
Email Ginny Brown
678-889-4814 office
770-296-4159 cell
This is the time of year where teenagers are anxiously awaiting prom night. Other than graduation, it is the most anticipated event of the spring for high school teens. Here are a few tips to help you make a good impression on your date and the parents.
personal hygiene. Be sure to check your breath. You don’t want to knock your date over with bad breath! Instead, knock him/her over with looking the best that you can. Watch the perfume and cologne. Don’t go overboard with the good smelling fragrances. Comb the hair, tuck in the shirt tail, and polish the shoes . Now put on a great smile and have fun.
Eating at the restaurant. You want to remember that you are trying to make a good impression. Remember to chew with your mouth closed, don’t talk with food in your mouth, no burping, don’t put your face in your plate and shovel your food in like it’s your last meal, put your napkin in your lap, don’t use a toothpick, and young men please hold the chair for your date. This is your time to shine with your date and friends.