What are the rules at your dinner table?

Question

as children what were the rules about food and how did that affect you? what food rules do you have at your own dinner table now?

I was brought up to eat everything on my plate and anything left was a waste. I ended up with food issues. Now..my children have everything on their plate, they eat what they please and end their meal with "thanx mom" they are good to go.

Answer 1

Remember your manners, eat your fruits and veggies before your dessert. My mom didn't force the food we didn't like down our throats because she said "its our bodies and we know what we need." and i believe her! Everybody is different. Fruit and veggies are important for everyone! But there is this old saying that if your body doesn't like it, you don't need it!

Answer 2

The Dinner Table Rules

1.  Feet down

2.  Chew with your mouth closed

3.  Try everything on your plate

4.  If you are getting full take as many bites as your age.  9 years old = 9 more bites

5.  Clean up after yourself

FYI - I too was told to eat everything on my plate but I haven't any food issues.

Answer 3

We begin by saying a prayer on the food, kids dish up whatever they want, and eat as much of it as they want.  If they dish up more than they can eat, they won't get in trouble or be made to finish it, but we would probably tell them not to take so much if they aren't going to be able to finish it.  One daughter likes the meat in the lasagna but not the noodles.  She will pick out the meat, same with chicken enchiladas.  I could either prepare her a special meal of just the meat without the noodles, or let her pick out the part she likes.

the final rule is everyone clears their own plate, rinses it for the dishwasher, and helps to clear the rest of the table together.

Answer 4

For one - we eat dinner together every night because that is the only meal we can share.  We talk about how our days went and we eat what we can and before leaving the table, they ask to be excused (including the guests).  They also say thank you to the cook whether it is me or my husband. Did not have this growing up.

Answer 5

If you drop food and it hits the floor - as long as the cat hasn't licked it yet the three second rule applies. Food on the floor for less than three seconds, brush off the hair, you're good to go. Over three seconds you have to toss it.

Answer 6

My mom always told me (and I told MY girls) to at least TRY whatever was on the plate.  As a result, my girls like just about all kinds of foods.... and my grandkids will also try anything once:)  My 10-yr-old grandson's favorite foods are broccoli, sushi and tofu (go figure:) ... My 4-yr-old grandson also loves broccoli and spinach ... my 2-yr-old granddaughter LOVES spicy coleslaw and salsa!   ... Their moms used to love spinach, artichokes and caviar, when they were little:)

Answer 7

Eat with your mouth shut.  Do smack mouth when eating your food.  Don't talk with food in your mouth.  Wait until spoken to and not out of turn.  Don't play with your food.  Eat until you are no longer hungry, but you don't have to eat all your food just what you can.

Answer 8

i was brought up the same....had to clear your plate!

now my motto is enjoy your food, if you don't want it don't eat it but you're not getting anything else!

Answer 9

Ur on the right track...i also had to eat EVERYTHING on my plate...even if i was so called FULL my veggies would be coincidently still there...i was never believed...haha...but uh what else...not elbows on the table...i hated that one...your children are lucky...i despise them...lol jp

Answer 10

Mom only made one dinner - you had to at least try everything.  If you didn't like something you would say "I don't care for that" but never, ever "Yuck" or "I don't like that!"

One of the best things my parents did for us as children was take us to all kinds of restaurants - including five star.  Yes, we ate at world renowned eateries at 10+ years old.  This didn't happen but maybe once a year, but we were always on our best behavior.  What this did was teach me how to read a menu & feel comfortable in such a high class situation.  My current job requires me to entertain in a very swanky restaurants.  I have confidence that I attribute to my parents.

So parents, take your kids to the fancy restaurants!  Work your way up though, if you are shaky on their manners.  I don't mind sitting next to brats at a Chili's, but will ask to be moved if at fine dining.

Answer 11

no elbows on the table

Answer 12

We couldnt skip eating veggies just because we didnt like it.

Each child could choose one food/dish they dont like, and they never had to eat that one.

We had to stay and wait for everyone to finish unless there was something more important to do.

We kids did the dishes every night.

No TV while eating. We talked during dinner.

When dinner was ready, we came right away.

I dont have kids now. But I have rules for my husband lol!

Stay and wait for everyone to finish eating.

No TV.. but we both break this rule often! haha

When I call that dinner is hot and ready, come immediately to dinner.

Answer 13

The rules at my dinner table are different then the ones I grew up with, mostly because I don't have young children dining with me.  When I was growing up, my mom was such a wonderful cook, we looked forward to having her meals.  I can only remember one that was hard to gag down, and it was a side dish of stewed tomatos with white bread and okra.  She didn't make a big deal out of not eating it after we'd tried.  We weren't picky eaters, but it was an unspoken rule that if mom worked hard to make us a meal, we were to enjoy it.  When I was little we dined together.  As I got older, we often ate in front of the television together watching the Ed Sullivan Show.  My rules are that whomever comes to my home to enjoy a meal, regardless of age, feels comfortable and well-fed after they leave!

Answer 14

no hats on the table and no nose-picking. :-) haahhahha

i think that kids should only have on their plates the portions that they are able to reasonably eat.  They need encouragement to eat all of their food, unless they become sick suddenly, so that they have a balanced diet.  If need be, left-overs can be eaten later, however.

Waste not, want not.

Answer 15

In my family we follow the normal rules (ie. no burping, talking with your mouth full, ect.) but we also aren't allowed to sing at the dinner table.  Just recently I learned that this isn't a rule most families have.  I guess it's just one of the rules that had to be set down for us.  =>

Answer 16

Dinner Table Etiquette - the 10 Do's!

   1. Once seated, unfold your napkin and use it for occasionally wiping your lips or fingers. At the end of dinner, leave the napkin tidily on the place setting.

   2. It is good dinner table etiquette to serve the lady sitting to the right of the host first, then the other ladies in a clockwise direction, and lastly the gentlemen.

   3. Hold the knife and fork with the handles in the palm of the hand, forefinger on top, and thumb underneath.

   4. Whilst eating, you may if you wish rest the knife and fork on either side of the plate between mouthfuls. When you have finished eating, place them side by side in the center of the plate.

   5. If the food presented to you is not to your liking, it is polite to at least make some attempt to eat a small amount of it. Or at the very least, cut it up a little, and move it around the plate!

   6. It is quite acceptable to leave some food to one side of your plate if you feel as though you have eaten enough. On the other hand, don't attempt to leave your plate so clean that it looks as though you haven't eaten in days!

   7. Desserts may be eaten with both a spoon and fork, or alternatively a fork alone if it is a cake or pastry style sweet.

   8. Should a lady wish to be excused for the bathroom, it is polite for the gentlemen to stand up as she leaves the table, sit down again, and then stand once more when she returns.

   9. Always make a point of thanking the host and hostess for their hospitality before leaving.

  10. It is good dinner table etiquette to send a personal thank you note to the host and hostess shortly afterwards.

Dinner Table Etiquette - the 10 Don'ts!

   1. NEVER start eating before a signal from the host to do so.

   2. Forks should not be turned over unless being used for eating peas, sweetcorn kernels, rice or other similar foods. In which case, it should be transferred to the right hand. However, at a casual buffet, or barbecue, it is quite acceptable to eat with just a fork.

   3. It is not generally regarded as good dinner table etiquette to use one's bread for dipping into soups or mopping up sauces.

   4. Loud eating noises such as slurping and burping are very impolite. The number one sin of dinner table etiquette!

   5. Talking with one's mouth full. is not only unpleasant to watch, but could also lead to choking! Definitely not a good idea!

   6. Don't stretch across the table crossing other guests to reach food, wine or condiments. Instead ask a guest sitting close to pass the item to you.

   7. Good dinner table etiquette sometimes involves a degree of diplomacy when it comes to the host's choice of food and wine! Even if you feel that you can do better, don't ever offer your criticism. If you feel unable to pay any compliments, at least remain silent on the subject.

   8. Picking teeth (unless toothpicks are provided) or l*****g fingers are very unattractive! The only exception to the latter is when eating meat or poultry on the bone (such as chicken legs or ribs). In which case, a finger bowl should be provided.

   9. Drinking too much wine can be very embarrassing! Where a different wine is served with each course, it is quite acceptable to not finish each glass.

  10. Don't forget to make polite conversation with those guests around you. Dinner parties are not just about the food, they are intended to be a sociable occasion!

Answer 17

A really small amount was put on my plate and i was told to eat eveything then it was up to me to get what i wanted. This was benefical in the sense that I was also encourged to ask interact and be apart of the dicussion as i had to wait for a time not to interupt the discussion i had to ask someone to pass it thank them etc. And like the person before said being made/asked to eat everything I not only enjoy everything and all different kinds of food but i also know how to be apart of table disscussion.

Once i finished everything on my plate and i wanted more mashed patatoes lets say but they were all gone I had to suffice on greens because i was hungry. I love greens now (okay and patatoes still).

Answer 18

my kids set the table & clear the entire table off.  if they are full it goes in the fridge & they don't get anything else to eat until it is all gone.

Answer 19

I think you should make sure your kids try the food. This is essential at a young age. In my family we try stuff and i like most foods. My friends family is VERY picky though. All they really eat are pasta. I think its because they didnt eat a variety of different foods when they were young.

Answer 20

Well, personally I think you shouldn't have to eat everything. I mean, in my family we serve 1 meat, 1 starch, and 2 veggies, with either buttered bread or rolls. If your kids eat all their food, ba-da-boom, desert, whether its fruit salad or an ice cream sundae, kids will eat it. If they don't eat all the food, because the: "I'm FULL!", or the, "My belly hurts." than they probably can't possibly have room for desert.

Answer 21

I don't know if you are Asian because I am so here is something that my mother told me.......

1. Never speak louder than the whole resturant.

2. Never spit out food very loud. (do it soft and do not let people know)

3. Don't hit the plate with anything.

4. Don't make noises and screaming

5. Never talk when your mouth is full of food. (you know why)

And I think thats all. LOL some of the rulez are funny to me. Oh well enjoy!

Answer 22

No hats on , Elbows on the table , No phone calls when were eating , and any that my mom can think of as I do them. haha

Answer 23

EAT! And just concentrate on eating.

Answer 24

I eat in my room.

Answer 25

FOOD FITE~!

Answer 26

Well thats easy since these rules applied everyday. OK so basically when we started eating dinner we have to be clean and ready, while we eat and food in our mouth we cant talk and one of the worse thing is drinking water when food is in your mouth and well try to be neat as much as we can and be clean and nice. And also like u mention, never eat food and have left over u have to eat till the plate is clean and only get a little at a time. And u know what thanks to all these rules when i have a real nice place at restaurant like a high class or very expensive place these rules help, i mean its useful and help me look normal rather than some people who never learn discipline. so encourage your kids to learn even if its hard.