Reading
The Meal

▮ At a small dinner party, do not start to eat until all guests are served. At a large dinner party, you may start to eat as soon as those near you have been served. Do not eat too fast. Do not talk while you have food in your mouth and keep the mouth closed while you chew your food. Elbows should not be put on the table when you are eating. If an accident happens at the table, apologize briefly to your hostess. The hostess continues to eat as long as her guests do. When all finish eating, she rises from the table and the others follow her.

Departing

▮ If you have no dinner partner, push your chair from the table by taking hold of each side of the seat of the chair. Don’t rest your hands or arms on the table to push yourself up. It is not necessary to remain longer than thirty minutes after a dinner if the invitation does not include the entire evening. However, one should avoid appearing in a hurry to leave.

2. | GW. a) Comment on the aspects in the paragraphs comparing them to everyday dinner behaviour in your culture. b) Use ideas from the questions below.

■ What are some good ways to teach children etiquette? Give examples.
■ Do you know any differences in etiquette between your culture and others? Give examples.
■ Why are table manners important almost in all cultures?
■ How would people behave if there were no rules?