Part Four: Dining Etiquette
“Can you please pass the butter?” “May I have more water please?” “Which fork do I use?” “Where do I put my napkin?”
These are just some of the things you would have heard at the last Teen Night at the Calhoun County Library. We taught dining etiquette at Teen Night as part of the 20 Things You Need to Know Before Leaving High School series.
We all get a little anxious when we sit down at a table set with multiple forks and several glasses. It’s confusing! On Tuesday, February 7, 2023, local teenagers who came for Teen Night were greeted by a maitre d’ with piano music playing in the background. They were preparing to enjoy a three-course meal. Before their meal, they learned the details of the table setting including which fork was the salad fork, which fork was the dinner fork, and where the dessert utensils were placed. They learned a few guidelines like how to properly cut meat, where to put your napkin, what the bread plate is for, and why you have two glasses. Along with that information, they learned not to put your elbows on the table, not to chew with your mouth open, and how to politely ask someone to pass items on the table. They also practiced introducing themselves before the meal.
After introductions, they made their way to the table which had already been set, they took a seat and placed their napkins in their laps. Then they got the opportunity to practice everything they had just learned. They even had dinner table topics for appropriate conversation.
So far our teens have learned:
How to sew on a button How to make a quesadilla
How to iron a shirt How to be safe on the internet
How to do laundry What NOT to put on social media
How to cook in a microwave How to confidently introduce themselves
How to use formal table manners How to make pico de gallo
Join us next week on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at 5 PM for another Teen Night. Any teenagers between the ages of 12 and 17 are welcome to join us and have fun!
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