FoodNet

On habits and manners

1888

Page 3

Presented as published in 1888. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
may be, in small quantities and quietly; while in using a spoon there must be no gurgling or spilling. The fingers should never be used directly, if it is pos- sible to avoid it ; for example, when you want to dip bread or crackers into gravy, milk, syrup, etc., you should do it by breaking the bread or other solid into the fluid, and con- veying it thence to your mouth with a fork or spoon. Your own share of the table furniture ; that is, your plates, cup, glass, knife, fork, spoon, etc., are for the time being your own private property, and must never be used by others, and in the case of the last three, must not be used by you in helping yourself from any dish from which others are mating. Butter-knives, salt-spoons, table spoons, etc., are for the general use, and must never be superseded by your private knife, spoon or fork, and you must never pass your plate with any of these upon it, buc must remove them, and lay them upon the cloth beside you until your plate is returned. To pour anything from your cup into your saucer is not allowable, and you must not drink with the spoon in your •cup, but after stirring your tea you should put the spoon in the saucer, being particularly careful to place it there when your cup is passed. Do not blow any kind of food, but have patience until it cools without your* help, and a,void, if possible, any close ON HABITS AND MANNERS. II examination of dishes which are passed to you, or of any- thing that is upon your own plate. If you find anything disagreeable remove it yourself as quietly as you can, or hand it, without calling attention to it, to the waiter. If you have preferences in regard to different parts of a dish, do not hesitate to mention them, if you are asked, but not otherwise : and, as a general rule, it is best to make no remarks upon the food while you are at table. After the meal is over, is the proper time to discuss, criticize, or mention to those in authority, anything unusual that you may have noticed at table. If it is necessary to remove from the mouth anything which may have found its way into your food by accident, this may be done usually under cover of your hand or your handkerchief, but always in such a manner as to attract the least possible attention. The use of the toothpick should be postponed, if possible, until after leaving the dining-room, but if it is used at table it must be behind your hand or handkerchief, and with the greatest c ire. Your position at table should be erect ; there must be no lounging, no pushing back or tilting of the chair (which should be placed at a convenient distance from the table and your neighbors), and never moved until you are ready to rise ; and, above all, no leaning of the arms or head upon the table, or the back of your neighbor's chair. 12 ON HABITS AND MANNERS. Keep your food upon your plate or plates as ranch as possible, bread being the only thing which you can with invariable propriety lay upon the cloth beside you. If you are obliged to cough or sneeze, the head must be turned entirely away from the table, and the mouth and nose covered with the pocket-handkerchief.