Below Par Dining Skills

The rewards of parenting come in bits and pieces and at unexpected times. I received one today from my 25 year old son. Etiquette came up in a discussion ...often does in my home. Then the reward...he told me he works with someone who has terrible table manners. How wonderful! I've raised his awareness enough to notice table manners! He cares enough to comment! He said the young man "does not even know the basic things like waiting for everyone to have their food before he starts eating." "And he holds his knife and fork like a chimp and I was sitting about four people down from him and I could hear him eating." My take? If your twenty five year old peer is turned off, everyone with whom you eat is turned off. Knowing basic dining skills will prevent drawing negative attention at a business meal.