A Table Etiquette Refresher from 1913

“When in doubt, use your fork” is a pretty fair table rule. The knife, of course, is absolutely tabooed except for cutting and spreading. The spoon is used only for liquids and soft desserts. Vegetables served as side dishes are usually eaten with a fork. –Forks at the table were not commonly used in the United States until the early 1800’s. This partial Sears and Roebuck catalog page above was from a 1912 catalog. Inexpensive silver plated knives, forks and spoons were made available to the masses. Just as today, basic table manners were featured in the news, so that every social class could sharpen their utensil skills.

GOOD TABLE MANNERS

It is sometimes difficult to make young people, particularly boys, appreciate the value of correct table manners. “Aw, what's the difference?” they ask when told not to eat with their knives.

The difference is that as a whole table etiquette is based upon the fundamental principles of convenience, neatness and self-restraint. Disregard of it causes the offender to appear slovenly, greedy and inconsiderate of the sensibilities of others, says the Woman's World.

Sit erect at the table. Don’t sprawl with your elbows on the table. Don't attempt to bring your mouth down to your food; raise the food to your mouth.

Don't shake your napkin out with a flourish; unfold it and spread it across your knees. Raise one corner of it to your lips as occasion arises.

In your own home, or in a house where you expect to be a guest for several meals, fold your napkin when you are through with it. If a guest for one meal only, crumple the napkin slightly and lay it unfolded beside your plate. The assumption is, of course, that it will not be used again until it is washed.

Do not break crackers into your soup. Look at the next person you see doing it and observe what an unsavory looking dish it produces. Never dip crackers or bread into any sort of liquid.

In dipping up soup move the spoon toward the outer edge of the dish. Take the soup from the side of the spoon.

“When in doubt, use your fork” is a pretty fair table rule. The knife, of course, is absolutely tabooed except for cutting and spreading. The spoon is used only for liquids and soft desserts. Vegetables served as side dishes are usually eaten with a fork.

In cutting meat, take the knife in the right hand and the fork in the left, cut off a proper mouthful, lay the knife down on the right side of the plate, transfer the fork to the right hand, holding the tines pointed downward, and raise the meat to the mouth.

It sounds slow, to be sure, but rapid eating is neither healthful nor pleasant to watch. – Organized Labor, 1913

🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber of The RSVP Institute of Etiquette, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia

Gilded Age Dining: Some Rules

The Gilded Age was a high point in the history of fine dining and the flatware and serving pieces of the era were often lavish expressions of the era. Above is a serving set in gilded sterling by George W. Shiebler & Co.

Etiquette has laid down several rules about eating particular kinds of food. Soup, for instance, should be called for only once, and eaten from the side of a spoon. If oyster crackers are passed with the soup, place them at the left side of your plate on the table cloth, and hold one in your left hand as you eat. But if bread is served, break off a piece as you wish it, with the left hand. Both the bread and crackers should be eaten without butter.

A little said in regard to the position at table may not be amiss. Never eat lounging back in your chair; though, while the different courses are being removed, it is entirely allowable to sit back in the chair. The elbows should not, at any time, be allowed to rest on the table.

Convey the food the entire distance to the mouth. Some people have a ludicrous habit of opening their mouths the moment they raise the food from their plates; then when the food is within several inches of its destination, their heads suddenly come forward with a jerk, and the food is snatched from sight. Quick motions and gestures are seldom graceful, and never so at a table. Then is the time, most assuredly, to “let your moderation be known to all men;” moderation in movement as well as in eating and drinking.

Be always attentive to the wants of others, and see that your neighbor is provided with whatever he may need within your reach. Remember the golden rule can be applied precisely as well during the meal time as in our intercourse with our fellow. beings.– Penman’s Art Journal, 1888

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