Researchers have been profiling people about good manners at the dinner table, focusing on the U.K. The outcome suggests what has been traditionally been regarded as ‘good manners’ is falling by the wayside. This is perhaps because around half of the respondents see mealtimes as something far less important and something less formal today. Although what ‘good manners’ actually are is something tied to time, place, and culture.
The research polled 1,500 British adults, aged 18-40 years. Here the majority – at 75 percent – said they saw many aspects of dining table manners as old fashioned and somewhat ‘stuffy’, something belong to older generations. This research was commissioned by plant-based food brand Vivera (and run by Prospectus Global), with the results provided to Digital Journal.
The survey looked at many attributes that would once near universally have been classed as a sign of ‘good manners’ from a few decades ago, and assessed what younger people thought of these.
Saying ‘thank you’ for your meal (39 percent), not slouching (39 percent), and asking to leave the table (42 percent) are on the way out, according to the report.
In addition, 46 percent of those surveyed said it is common practice these days to start eating before everyone else has their food. That is if eating first is of relevance, since 45 percent said always sitting around a table together was a thing of the past.
In terms of what those surveyed see as outmoded:
- Never talk with your mouth full (50 percent of British people say this is an out-dated rule)
- Never put your elbows on the table 48 percent
- Don’t start to eat before everyone has their meal 46 percent
- Eat always sitting at the table – 45 percent
- Always use a knife and fork – 45 percent
- Always ask before leaving the table – 42 percent
- Never slouch at the dinner table – 39 percent
- Say thank you for the food after the meal – 39 percent
- Always use a napkin or serviette – 38 percent
- Do not make a mess / get messy with your food – 22 percent
In addition, the use of a napkin or serviette to protect clothes from food splatters appears to be a practice that is less common. This is driven in part by the 22 percent who claim that getting messy while eating food is no longer taboo.
While courtesy and good manners are regarded many some as important to the preservation of human interaction and relationships, these do not need to remain static. The study also finds that what might be classed as ‘modern table manners’ are replacing traditional ones, such as no vaping at the table (60 percent) and not using your phone at the table (54 percent) emerging as important.
