Q&A for How to Have Good Table Manners

Make sure the conversation is general so that everyone can participate in the discussion. If it's very niche, then people will be excluded.

Hold them by your index finger and your thumb and then rest them on the third finger. Don't hold them too high or too low—opt for somewhere near the center. Also, make sure you bring the food to your mouth while sitting up straight. You don't bend forward to meet the food.

This article is a great place to start your research: how to have good manners .

Table manners are important because they are a sign of respect for the place you are eating and the people you are eating with.

If you have a side plate, you gently put your spoon to the left of it. If you do not have a side plate, you can gently put your spoon to the left of your bowl.

Because it's gross. No one wants to find chewed, germ-infested gum underneath the table. If you need to spit out gum, politely and discreetly do it in a napkin. It's more hygienic this way.

Use a napkin.

Insure that you have a drink of water with you at all times. If it is uncomfortable to drink it at the table, excuse yourself to the restroom. If you do not have access to any water or anything sweet nearby, simply try not to eat much of the salty dish.

Use your napkin and drink water.

If you are cutting something, hold your knife in your right hand and your fork with the other. Brace the piece of food you are cutting with your fork, and cut with the knife. (Use the opposite hands if you are left handed; it doesn't matter if people find you ill-mannered because you cut with your left hand.) Then just switch the fork to your right hand to eat.

One of our most useful senses is smell. Our taste buds do not actually receive much information about the taste of something, but rather our smell receptors which help to inform us. If you hold your breath while eating, the taste of it will almost disappear. Work on eating while not breathing through your nose. Breath through your mouth instead. If the way it looks bothers you, close your eyes. If the texture disgusts you, imagine it as something else (ie: porridge to oranges).

If this is a shared knife, be sure to wipe it with your napkin before and after use. Hold the knife between your thumb and index finger (and middle finger for tougher items), blade facing down away from your palm. Hold down the item you are cutting with a fork, making sure not to completely puncture the item to the plate (this may cause an unpleasant scraping sound when cutting). Slice the item with your knife until you are finished. Hold the knife sideways on the piece being held down, to dislodge the fork. Use the fork to eat the smaller bit you cut off.

Yes, it is absolutely acceptable.

If a women has her handbag with her, she should put it down on the floor just beside or under her chair.

If you get stuck in an embarrassing moment, just excuse yourself by saying that you're sorry and try not to repeat the same mistake.

They're extremely important because they show you have respect for yourself, the food, and everyone around you.

Yes, it's okay to eat garnishes, assuming they're edible.

Only take one. If there are leftovers after everyone has had one, you can take another.

The distance between the diner and the table should be about the length of the diner's forearm.

No, it isn't. In fact, it's better than taking too much, which could be construed as rude.

It would be more appropriate to wait for all the guests to finish their food.

You should be seated upright, and bring your utensil up to your mouth, not the other way round.

Yes, napkins should be folded and placed on the dishes.

If you must, blow on it gently and discreetly. Some people consider this bad manners, though, so sometimes it's best to wait. Start eating cooler foods first.

Always try to mirror what your host is doing, or other guests. If they eat from the lap, then you can too. But if not, then no.

Try to quickly lean down and pick it up with your napkin. If it's a lot of food (or a drink), let the host know that you might need a towel to wipe up the mess. Dropping food might happen, and that's okay! Just try to clean it up as soon as you can.

Excuse yourself to the restroom and try to get it out while looking in the mirror. Or, you can wait for the end of the meal and ask the host if they have a toothpick. Avoid picking your teeth at the table, as that can be considered rude.

It depends. When at a fine restaurant or with well-mannered company, it would be advisable to avoid using slang language. At a fast food restaurant, it might be okay, depending on whom you're with.

A ringing or buzzing phone is loud and disruptive. It is not respectful to interrupt the meal, in consideration of the cook, the host and your fellow diners, who have all come together to enjoy a meal together, converse and generally be convivial. Phone calls, texts and alerts can all be checked after the meal is done.

Yes, you should push your chair in as much as possible so that people can get past easily, and to show there is nobody sitting on that chair.