Mind Your P’s and Q’s
Posted by AllieB on November 17, 2010
I’ll be the first one to say it – my manners are not impeccable. No need to expound further, but my day to day behavior, particularly at the dinner table, leaves much to be desired. Obviously, when in a more formal setting I am perfectly capable of being the consummate dining companion, not unlike a princess, even (damn you Kate Middleton), it’s just not my default…
Anyway, regardless of my own flaws, I am easily irked by the inappropriate/unacceptable manners of others. Here are things I do not prefer:
- Smacking. I know – pot, kettle, black – but I’ve gotten lots better and am now truly disgusted by those who do. As a babysitter, I feel it is important to correct the errant ways of children and did so just the other evening. Grace, a precocious seven-year-old girl, was smacking her food so loudly that I had to speak sternly to her about how unattractive it was and that she really ought to stop. She looked at me squarely in the eye and spoke sternly to me about saying “like, yeah” so much – “you don’t sound like you know what you’re talking about,” she said. I then suggested we call it a draw; she agreed, and we shook on it. Touché. Me and Dee Reynolds – shaping the minds of America’s Youth.
- Slouching. Sit up straight – you’ll look five pounds thinner. If that’s not reason enough, then I can’t help you.
- To the waiter who wants to bond with the table and goes so far as to scoot into the booth: please don’t. I’m all about building rapport, but if we wanted to sit with you at dinner we would have invited you to join us at dinner. I find it very unsettling to suddenly be touching thighs with a stranger as they take my order…it happened at Tavern 99, and the waiter in question was adorned in the never-not-classy Sexy Referee Uniform. Boundaries.
- Slurping. Akin to smacking, this is a wholly unappetizing thing to do at the table. I’m starting to feel a bit like Seinfeld…
- Eating wings in public (Pants, Billy, Dallas, BP – I’m talkin to you).
I think one of my New Year’s Resolutions will be to adjust my behavior to that of a princess every day, formal occasion or no. I bet menfolk will find that more appealing, not to mention the friends and family with whom I frequently enjoy meals.
Dear Mom,
This Thanksgiving I promise to do none of the above.
Your loving daughter,
(Princess) Alexandra
(Source: whatupwithtthat)
Mom said
Thanks for this. All I can say is it will be great having you set the standard for good manners. It’s been a lonely place all these years. Long live Princess Allie!
AllieB said
You’re welcome! Perhaps we should send it on to Mr. Baxter and he can join me in this movement of setting the standard for good manners. You know what they say about the apple and the tree…
Mom said
Just so you know, Miss Manners addressed the elbows on the table issue yesterday. During the meal: no no no. After the meal, while relaxing and talking: not a crime.