The napkin should be placed on the lap with one fold left in it and should not be crumpled up. Dainty people sometimes contend that only a corner of the inside of the fold should be used to wipe the mouth so that the soiled part shall be kept inside. But perhaps one should not have such a soiled mouth as to make this necessary. Care must be taken to wipe the lips before drinking if there is danger of making a greasy mark on the glass, and after drinking if the lips are at all wet. This is especially necessary after drinking milk, but, with care, there is no need to dip much of the upper lip in the milk. Noiselessness in eating means special care in eating soup not to suck in the breath. This is a common fault, and there are many jokes about the man who will make his fortune by inventing a noiseless soup spoon. For the same reason, the lips must be kept closed in chewing and only small mouthfuls should be taken. One should eat slowly, so as not to appear too hungry, and with sufficient TABLE MANNERS 127 deliberation to appear to be enjoying and appreciating what is served. When asked to express a preference in regard to food, do so promptly even if you have no strong feeling. In offering second servings, it is better to say "May I give you some meat " instead of " some more meat." " Yes, please " or " Yes, thank you" are correct forms of accepting ; " No more, thank you" of refusing. "No, thank you, I would not care for any" is awkward. f If at table articles are passed around by the people seated, then tho'ightfulness in seeing that others are served with what they wish is necessary. Serving one's self without passing the dish shows selfishness. If it is necessary to ask to have something passed to you, do not address your request to the table in general, but to the one who is nearest the dish. Then the others are not unnec- essarily troubled to discover who can pass it. At most formal dinners, however, guests are relieved of all passing by a waitress or butler, and then to pass a dish implies a reflection on the service. During the meal one should sit erect, alertly attending to what is going on. Lolling or leaning back in the chair implies one is fatigued or bored. Elbows off the table is a good rule. Most of our movements are habits and the only way to acquire table manners is by constant practice. We cannot be careless every day and then expect to go through a formal occasion without a slip. We shall find our- selves automatically doing the thing we intended to avoid. Remarks on the food are usually considered in bad taste. It should be taken for granted that it will be deli- cious, and appreciation can be shown in other ways than in words. Unpleasant and too intimate topics of conversa- tion should be avoided. At a small table the conversation ir usually general, at a larger party where a general con- 128 FOOD STUDY versation can hardly be heard, conversation alternately with those immediately around is the rule. The handkerchief should not be in evidence at table and, if possible, should not be used. Picking the teeth or putting the fingers in the mouth, touching the hair, or even the face, should all be avoided.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

The napkin should be placed on the lap with one fold left in it and should not be crumpled up. Dainty people sometimes contend that only a corner of the inside of the fold should be used to wipe the mouth so that the soiled part shall be kept inside. But perhaps one should not have such a soiled mouth as to make this necessary. Care must be taken to wipe the lips before drinking if there is danger of making a greasy mark on the glass, and after drinking if the lips are at all wet. This is especially necessary after drinking milk, but, with care, there is no need to dip much of the upper lip in the milk. Noiselessness in eating means special care in eating soup not to suck in the breath. This is a common fault, and there are many jokes about the man who will make his fortune by inventing a noiseless soup spoon. For the same reason, the lips must be kept closed in chewing and only small mouthfuls should be taken. One should eat slowly, so as not to appear too hungry, and with sufficient deliberation to appear to be enjoying and appreciating what is served. When asked to express a preference in regard to food, do so promptly even if you have no strong feeling. In offering second servings, it is better to say "May I give you some meat " instead of " some more meat." " Yes, please " or " Yes, thank you" are correct forms of accepting ; " No more, thank you" of refusing. "No, thank you, I would not care for any" is awkward. f If at table articles are passed around by the people seated, then thoughtfulness in seeing that others are served with what they wish is necessary. Serving one's self without passing the dish shows selfishness. If it is necessary to ask to have something passed to you, do not address your request to the table in general, but to the one who is nearest the dish. Then the others are not unnecessarily troubled to discover who can pass it. At most formal dinners, however, guests are relieved of all passing by a waitress or butler, and then to pass a dish implies a reflection on the service. During the meal one should sit erect, alertly attending to what is going on. Lolling or leaning back in the chair implies one is fatigued or bored. Elbows off the table is a good rule. Most of our movements are habits and the only way to acquire table manners is by constant practice. We cannot be careless every day and then expect to go through a formal occasion without a slip. We shall find ourselves automatically doing the thing we intended to avoid. Remarks on the food are usually considered in bad taste. It should be taken for granted that it will be delicious, and appreciation can be shown in other ways than in words. Unpleasant and too intimate topics of conversation should be avoided. At a small table the conversation is usually general, at a larger party where a general con- versation can hardly be heard, conversation alternately with those immediately around is the rule. The handkerchief should not be in evidence at table and, if possible, should not be used. Picking the teeth or putting the fingers in the mouth, touching the hair, or even the face, should all be avoided.

Food study