Thursday, April 2, 2009

Table Manners


I was busy eating my meal when the heavy knuckle landed on my forehead. It was my father who was teaching me table manners. I was puzzled and I looked at him bewildered. It was quite a heavy and painful knock. I looked at him timidly through my watery eyes. But he just said the word, "Think what you have done."

It was a tradition in my family not to go against the wisdom of the elders. So I sat down quietly, thinking and examining others while everyone was eating together around the table.

Then I noticed that other people were sitting upright while I was slouching. I was leaning against the table, supporting my weight with my left arm while eating with my right hand. I was punished because I hunched over my plate and I was plain lazy. My food spilled everywhere on the table and on the floor.

And I noticed that other people were eating their food slowly, enjoying every single bit of it. But I was overfilling my mouth with food and ate like a glutton. I was eating too fast and swallowing my food so much that I looked ugly and others were giving me a disgusting look. I was punished because I didn't appreciate the food that took some time to prepare.

And I noticed that other people were closing their mouth when they chewed their food. But I was talking aloud while eating. And my food and saliva were flying everywhere. I was punished because of my inconsiderate and thoughtless behavior.

Then I noticed that other people were keeping their legs close to their chair while I was stretching my legs kicking and disturbing others. And I was watching other children, playing and teasing with them. I was punished because my mind was distracted on other things and not on food. I wasn’t single-minded in my focus.

Sitting down in one corner of a restaurant, I scrutinized other people's table manners. Many were talking with their mouth full. Some were farting and making the room smell. Some were burping and belching after the meals. They were blowing their nose and throwing the tissue on the ground. Some were picking at teeth with a toothpick or finger. Some were grooming or putting on makeup at the table...

Then I smiled to myself, touching my forehead, thanking my father for the heavy knuckle.

8 comments:

maghis said...

I don't know what to think about the end...
I received the same education and values, so I can link few memories to that story.

MaxiVelasco said...

i was also trained by my parents well when it comes to observing proper table manners. unlike you, i did not receive a knuckle on my head... rather, a pat. perhaps because i am a woman.

anyway, i love your post. this one's really great.

anyway, if you want, we can always exchange links... do you have a blogroll?

have a great day!

Karen and Gerard said...

A knuckle to the side of the head seems pretty harsh. I'm sure there are better ways to teach table manners than that.

Salute said...

This a very good post and I can relate to these values. This is training that all children needs in their early years.

Mar said...

I also received the same training from my parents so i can relate to this story. I am grateful that they were able to straighten my acts when i was still young. However, i don't think that a heavy knuckle is necessary to teach valuable lessons.

Leomar’s Den

Mrs4444 said...

My sister has a scar on her left hand from the time my dad stabbed at her hand with his fork to "teach" her to stop using her left hand. Today, I have very good table manners, and so do our two teenagers, yet we have never knocked them in the head or stabbed their hands. Old schoolers sure had some odd methods, didn't they?

nxnfgfgh said...

Very important because in today's table manners are lost on the young company ... In fact as a fashion to have bad manners, as fashion as also take generic viagra if you need it

nxnfgfgh said...

hi, really nice blog

Get Paid for Browsing the Internet with LogiPTC Sign up for PayPal and start accepting credit card payments instantly.