Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1885-09-18
TABLE ETIQUETTE.
How Children Should Bc uotcd-Tho
Use of Napkins, Etc.

How Children should Bc Instructcd-The
Use of Napkins, Etc.
There is q 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-
uuette generally. We can really think
Of no reason why this should be the case,
and IL in some instances it is so, 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 n person Ignorant OF the
most common forms OF politeness and
etiquette, may be found among the den-
izens of the city, who have never seen a
cornfeld or dug potato.
1t is said of some people and children
that is natural to them to be polite, that
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 at some time. This is
shown sometimes in the case of a spoiled
child, who has always been allowed to
have his own way and treat others as he
pleases His parents may be cultivated
and refined people, but such q child will
reach across the table to help himself,
will say 'give me this" or snatch an
article away from another, or do any of
the rude things supposed to be confined
to ignorant and uncultivated 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 as 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 politcncss are not OBJ
served. Children are taught to say
"thank vou," and "if you please" ant
to say .yes, ma'am" and "no, sir, v
when spoken to. But there are some
forms of what is called etiquette thai
are sometimes neglected. Among these
that of table etiquette is perhaps mos
important, as talk of such knowledg,
occasions great embarrassment to n 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 prescribes sucl
large napkins that they are sometime'
denominated small tablecloths, bu
whether large or small, children shoult
be accustomed to the use of them. /
is not necessary to fasten the napkin
under the chin, except in small children
the action being too suggestive of a bib
but unfolded and laid in the lap, to b.
used for wiping the fingers or mouth
There are few persons who do not fin,
occasion for its use, even if they do no
take the bones in their fingers as 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 whic
were formerly the only exception, bu
the meat must be removed as far a
possible with the knife and fork on tn
plate.
1t being necessary to first teach chi
dren to use the knife with the right hand
it is sometimes little hard to accustor
them to the use of the fork in that han
also, and they may require re
peated admouitions. But once learn
ed they will never forget it, an
much modification may be save
in the future for whatever may
thought of the use of the fork, certainl
no other method of eating is accepte
in polite society. Neglect of these pa
ticulars may cause children to ask tn
reproachful question, why did you nc
teach me these thingsP"
The days of delicate appetites anon
ladies especially have gone by, and it
considered perfectly proper to be helpe
second time if desired. No one wisht
to make glutton of himself, but whe
hungry the appetite may be appease
without fear of being thought ill-bret
Neither is it necessary to wait until q
are helped before beginning to eat.
large party is at the table, the first OF
should wait reasonable time unt
those around him are helped. 1t is NJ
necessary to say "thanks" or ''thar
you," every time an article is passed,
the repetition becomes monotonous,
single inclination of the head beir
quite sufficient.
As has been said in regard to slar
and correct language, if we wish chi
drcn to acquire proper habits, we mu
practice them ourselves, so in matte
of etiquette they must be kept constant
before the child and practiced uni
they are second nature. And reall
one way is as easy as the other We
ern Rural.