The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-09-18
TABLE ETIQUETTE.

bAO66 @usXSess
Hew Childrsn should he Instructed-rhs
Use Of Nspkins Etc.
There is . prevailing opinion among
many people. and especially society peo-
pie. that residence in the country is
SYNONYMOUS with awkward manners,
lack of politeness and disregard Of eti-
quette generally. We can really think
of no reason why this should be the case.
and If in some instances it is 80. the
cause is not to be found in the fact Of
having lived outside of the region Of
brick walls aud paved streets. but from
causes entirely outside of this circum-
stance. Many a person ignorant of the
most common forms Of politeDess and
etiquette. may he found among the dem
liens of the city. who have never seen q
corniield or dug potato.
1t is said of some people and children
that is natural to them to be polite. tina.
it seems to be born in them. This is
true. only in the sense that no other ex-
ample being presented. they learn it so
easily it appears to be natural. A child's
mind is blank. and everything he
knows is learned Mt some time. This is
shown sometimes in the case of spoiled
child. who has always been allowed to
have his own way and treat others rs he
pleases. His parents may he cultivated
and refined people, but such child will
reach across the table to help himself.
will say '.give me this" or snatch an
article away from another. or do anv of
the rude things supposed to be confined
to ignorant and uncu!tivated society.
The native politeness which one would
expect will appear to be entirely want
ing.
Since. then. politeness is entirely an
acquired habit, there can be no reason
why it should not be acquired in the
country rs well rs the city. and we have
no doubt but what this is the case.
There are probably few houses into
which this paper goes where the Ordi-
nary forms of pOliteness are not OBJ
served. Children are taught to say
..thank vou." and IF you please" and
to say ..yes. ma am" and mo. SIR"
when spoken to. But there are some
forms of what is called etiquette that
are sometimes neglected. Among these
that of table etiquette is perhaps most
important, rs \ talk of such knowledge
occasions great embarrassment to a per-
son when thrown among company who
are accustomed to such forms.
The use of napkins are sometimes
neglected, which is an important Omis-
sion. Fashion now prcscribes such
large napkins that they are sometimes
denOminaied small tablecloths, but
whether large or small. children should
be accustomed to the use of them. 1t
is not necessary to fasten the napkin
under the chin. except in small children.
the action being too suggestive of a bio,
but unfolded and laid in the lap, to be
used for wiping the fingers or mouth.
There are few persons who do not find
occasion for its use, even if they do not
take the bones in their fingers rs chill
dren are apt to do. if left to themselves.
Polite society does not allow even chick
en- bones to be taken in the fingers which
were formerly the only exception. Int
the meat must be removed as far as
possible with the knife and fork on the
plate.
1t being necessary to first teach chill
dren to use the knife with the right hand,
it is sometimes little hard to accustom
them to the use of the fork in that hand
also, and they may require re-
pcated admoni,ions. But once learn
ed they will never forget it, and
much modification may be saved
in the future for whatever may be
thought of the use of the fork, certainly
no other method of eating is accepted
in polite society. Neglect of these par
ticulars may cause children to ask the
reproachful question. ''Why did YOU not
teach me these things?'
The day. of delicate appetites among
ladies especially have gone by: and it is
considered perfectly proper to be helped
Il second time if desired. Noo wishes
to make a g!utton of himself, but when
hungry the appetite may be appeased
without fear Of being thought ill-bred.
Neither is it necessary to wait until all
are helped before beginning to eat. If
a large party u at the table. the first one
should wait reasonable time until
those around him are helped. 1t is not
necessary to sxy '.thanks' or ..thank
you," every titne an article is passed. rs
the repetition becomes monOtOnous. q
single inclination of the head being
quite sufficient
As has beer said in regard to slang
and correct language. if We wish chill
dren to acquire proper habits. we must
practice them ourselves, so in matters
of etiquette the. must be kept constantly
before the child and practiced until
they are secofd nature. And really.
one way is as easy as the Other.-West-
eTn Rural.
SWEpE TURNlPS.