16th Century Table Manners

“At the beginning of the meal everybody should wash his hands in the presence of others in order that those who are going to put their hands in the same dish together may have no doubt about the cleanliness of the others hands.”

CORVALLIS. Ore.. Dec. 14. (United Press)—Throwing bones, gristle and uneaten parts of vegetables and meats on the floor behind one was considered proper table manners in the 16th century, according to an old handbook of etiquette uncovered here by students in home economics of Oregon State College. According to instructions in the book, printed several hundred years ago, ceremonies at the table should begin us follows: 

“At the beginning of the meal everybody should wash his hands in the presence of others in order that those who are going to put their hands in the same dish together may have no doubt about the cleanliness of the others hands.”

Among other rules of etiquette, which apparently were prevalent in the days in which the booklet was published, were those frowning on scratching at the table. “It isn’t proper,” the book says, “to scratch yourself at the table, and one should abstain as much as possible from spitting on the floor, but if one has to, do it genteelly.” –December, 1929

Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia