Proper Table Manners Novels & Stories

"It's customary to let people finish their meal before announcements." "The dinner is nearly—" "The potatoes," I said. "Haven't been finished. It would be rude to rush." Remi made a very quiet noise beside me. Her eyes narrowed. Like she knew. Like she could see exactly what was happening. "Nero—" Anatoria started. "It's courtesy Mother. You taught me that. Respect the meal. Respect the table. Announcements after." I looked at my plate. "I haven't finished." She looked at me for three full seconds.

I tried my best to ignore him but it was difficult, given he was sat right opposite my best friend. The silence was not awkward and I took special care of how I was eating, ensuring I didn't do anything stupid or make annoying noises with the plates and spoons. Thank God for my mom teaching me table manners and dinner etiquettes when I was young, they were especially useful now. If I were to eat like how I did back in my normal life, I'd be seen as someone worse than a cave woman.

“I think we should direct that to our summer princess.’’ Adrian said, pointing his fork at Liah. “I'm not making a mess.’’ She argued, and my gaze momentarily dropped to her space. She had some dough crumbs scattered around her aluminum with a few drops of syrup. “I'm not referring to anyone in particular, I'm just passing an advise.’’ Alessia cooled. But anyone would understand her trick since Adrian made a lesser mess. “You have food on your space too.’’ Liah barked at Adrian. “Table manners kids!’’ Eliza cautioned. “It should be part of the rules now shouldn't it?’’ Silence befell the air once again, leaving only clanking of cutleries. “What exactly happened?’’ I demanded, having my last

"You need to know which is used for what. No mistakes allowed." Serena stared at the diagram with a headache. "Why does it need to be so complicated?" "Because that's how wealthy people differentiate themselves from ordinary people," Ethan answered with a slightly cynical tone. "Etiquette, unwritten rules, status symbols—all important." Several hours passed. Lesson after lesson, correction after correction. How to drink wine—glass held by the stem, not the bowl. How to sit—back not touching the chair, legs not spread wide. How to smile—not too wide, not too stiff, just right.

To sit before the senior ranking wolf at the table has taken their seat is considered an act of-' I turned the page. There were rules about which fork to use at which course. Rules about the correct angle at which to hold a wine glass. Rules about how to walk into a room, how to exit one, how to respond to a toast, how to decline food without causing offence, how to accept a compliment from someone you outranked and how to receive criticism from someone you did not. There were rules about silence. Which silences were respectful and which were insolent and how to tell the difference between them.

“Slow down. You should be more polite when eating in a place like this and mind your manners,” Robbie said patiently, hinting at Dwight not to be rude. “Table manners? We're on my turf now. Around here, we follow our own rules. This is my turn, and we set our own rules. There’s no need for such trouble. If you care so much about etiquette, the food will go cold, and you still won’t be eating,” Dwight said, with no concern at all.

“Have you had a ten course dinner before?” Edward shook his head. He was now feeling very underprepared for his future life as a royal. “Just follow the same cutlery rules. It’s still outside to inside,” Sebastian instructed. “No pinky fingers sticking out, put your cutlery down if you wish to drink. Don’t slurp anything and keep your mouth closed. It’s the same, just with more courses.” That was reassuring for Edward to hear. He felt like he might do well at this particular part of his training. Or he felt that way, until the kitchen staff arrived to set the table up for a practise dinner party. He sat at the table quietly whilst the kitchen staff fluttered around him.

“You chew with your back teeth, never your front. The knife never touches your teeth. And for the love of my reputation, don’t rest your elbows on the table,” Ines said, circling the dining room like a drill sergeant in four-inch heels. Her nails clicked across the polished walnut as she stopped behind Liora’s chair. “Straight spine. Chin level. You want them thinking controlled elegance, not stray-cat defiance.” Liora sat stiffly at the long table, shoulders tight, a glass of water untouched in front of her. “Why do I need to know how to eat with a salad fork when you people solve problems with guns?”

More so, she glimpsed the same grimace and forced a smile on each face, and wondered if it was the pattern they used in taking pictures. Janice had seen the same expression on the Queen's face in the picture that was in the drawing-room. “Next we move to etiquette.” She stated, swiping at the pages of the books with her as they walked back to the dining hall. It could house more than a hundred guests. A large rectangular table was in the centre and ten maids were busy arranging golden ceramic plates, cutleries, and paper towels on it. Janice had no problem with eating etiquette. She was familiar with all the rules, and she could recite each offhand.

She then took hold of William's hand and followed him to the direction of the kitchen I suppose leaving Alexander and I alone at the table. I finished up my dinner and placed my cultury on the plate as it should be as my mom taught me proper ettiquette. I stared at my hands that were twirling in my lap because I was too timid to look at Alexander. "You know your table manners," Alexander said breaking the silence in the tensed atmosphere. I looked up at him through my lashes as I nod my head in agreement. "I was thought that its extremly important to have proper etiquette when out with a person, and my dad had a lot of busimess dinner meetings so its just a habit," I answered.