Unit 3 Table Manners a List of Do's and Don'ts

Take a slice of bread from the bread-plate by hand, don't harpoon your bread with a fork.

Do not bite into the whole slice, break it off piece by piece.

Never spoil your neighbour's appetite by criticising what he is going to eat or telling stories which are not conductive for good digestion.

Chicken requires special handling. First cut as much as you can, and when you can't use a knife and fork any longer, use your fingers.

Never read while eating (at least in company).

When a dish is placed before you, do not eye it suspiciously as though it is the first time you have seen it, and do not give the impression that you are about to sniff it. No matter how surprised you are, take all in your stride.

Don't use a knife for fish, cutlets or omelettes.

When you are being served, don't pick. One piece is as good as the next.

In between courses don't make bread-balls to while the time away and do not play with the silver.

Don't lick your spoon. If you really feel that way about it, ask for a second helping.

Don't use a spoon for what can be eaten with a fork. The forks are placed at the side of the dish in the order in which they are to be used (salad fork, fish fork, meat fork).

When eating stewed fruit use a spoon to put the stones on your saucer.

Vegetables, potatoes, macaroni are placed on your fork with the help of your knife.

If your food is too hot, don't blow on it as though you were trying to start a campfire on a damp night.

Your spoon, knife and fork are meant to eat with, they are not drumsticks and should not be banged against your plate.

Don't sip your soup as though you wanted the whole house to hear.

Don't pick your teeth in company after the meal even if tooth-picks are provided for the purpose.

And, finally, don't forget to say "Thank you" for every favour of kindness.

Word Ex. 1 Put each of the verbs describing ways of eating into its correct

Use place in the sentences.

chew lick polish off gnaw nibble at digest tuck in consume bolt peck/pick at tuck in gorge swallow nibble

1. The children have no appetite. They just ______________ their food. They hardly

eat anything.

2. My mother always used to say to me, "Now make sure you___________meat

carefully before you___________it".

3. In Britain people__________ four million tons of potatoes every year.

4. He has an enormous appetite. I've seen him_________four hamburgers and a pile

of chips at a sitting.

5. As children we used to_________ourselves on ice-cream, chips and chocolate,

and then feel very sick.

6. The starving prisoners were so desperate they would________any meat bones

they could find.

7. It's not good for your body to________your food so quickly. Eat slowly so that

you can__________it properly.

8. He was so hungry that when he'd finished his food, he began to _____ the plate!

9. Since she started her diet she just__________a carrot for her lunch.

10. Nick was already at the table_________.

Ex. 2 Answer the following questions using words from the list at the top exercise 1.

1. How do people eat ice-cream cones?

2. How do hungry people eat?

3. How do very greedy people eat?

4. How do people eat if they are not very hungry ?

5. How do dogs eat?

6. What is a good, healthy way to eat meat?

7. What is an unhealthy way to eat and why?