Ms. Mannerz

The holiday season elicits a superfluous number of dinner parties, which continue to take place well into the first week or two of the new year. Now, your table manners shouldn't be too rusty, as Thanksgiving was only a month ago. But in case you've forgotten how to appropriately act when eating with company, below are some key points on how to to be a good guest. And the (not so) bizarre thing about table manners is that they also contribute to healthy eating (predominantly in the realm of portion control). Let your Ms. Mannerz lesson commence:


1. Before you begin eating, wait for everyone to be seated - naturally you are hungry when you sit down for dinner, but don't start chowin' down before everyone else is at the table. Dinnertime is not a race to see who can finish their meal first, so there is no need for a head start. Have some self control, dude. 


2. Don't be picky - if someone has spent time (whether it's 30 minutes or 3 days) preparing a meal for you, it is just plain rude to decline from trying whatever it is that he/she has made (only exception: allergies). Being a picky eater is something that 5 year olds can get away with, but as an adult you need to suck it up and at least take a small "no thank you" helping.


3. Take your time to eat - don't scarf down the food as if it is going to disappear, if you don't eat it at a record speed. Finish chewing and swallowing the food that is already in your mouth before you take another bite. Eating a meal should not be a game of "chubby bunny".  


4. Drink between bites - it would be humiliating to choke on your food in front of 5+ guests (probably caused from stuffing your mouth with too much food, too fast), so spare yourself the embarrassment and wash down that spoonful of mashed potatoes with a big swig of water. Drinking water will also help you feel satiated - as I mentioned in my post about Turkey Day, people often misinterpret feelings of thirst for feelings of hunger. 


5. Resist the urge to pick - you're comfortably full, but the bowl of roasted veggies is strategically placed next to your plate. So what do you do? You stealthily pick at the veggies, eating a few at a time, not because you're hungry, but because the plate is there. Wrong-o. First, picking off of any plate other than your own is rude - if you're still a little hungry, take a small second helping and politely eat from your own plate. Second, mindlessly eating out of convenience is synonymous to overeating. Even if you have to sit on your hands or physically move the platter to the other side of the table, just so you don't pick at the food, then do so. You don't want to be overstuffed, especially when your insanely tall uncle gives you an infinitely long bear hug. Squeeze --> barf.


6. Help clean - someone just cooked for you. Say thank you, but also show your gratitude by helping to clean the dishes, or at the very least clear the table. In addition to sparing your host from slaving away over the sink (after just having cooked dinner), cleaning up will also give your body time to digest. Remember, it takes 20 minutes for your body to feel fully satiated. By the time you're done with the dishes, and dessert is ready to be served, you'll only feel compelled to have a slice of pie, rather than "still hungry" for a piece of pie with ice cream and hot fudge and a cookie on top. 


Ok, so not the traditional Ms. Manners guide, but these tips should help you finish out the remainder of the season's dinner parties with a lil more dignity and sophistication. Remember, eating is an act of pleasure, so take the time to enjoy your food :)