POINTS OF ETIQUETTE IN 1900

Has the idea of never bringing one's food to one's mouth with a knife a necessary point of etiquette?

In 1900, it is suggested the waiter will know you are finished eating when your knife and fork are laying diagonally across the plate with both handles toward the right hand. Do waiter's still look for this signal? When did they stop giving us spoons at the table? Why?

Take small bits, chew thoroughly with your mouth closed. Do not smack your lips.

Do not rattle your silverware on your plate.

When you are served, begin eating. It is considered good breeding to begin even if the rest of the table has not been provided. Honest! I didn't know that! I thought you were supposed to wait until everyone was served.

Do not suck your soup. Take it quietly from the side of the spoon. Well, there goes that stupid ad for Campbell Soup and the guy gets a Yum Yummy name plate. Have you noticed that sets of flat ware do not come with soup spoons? Why?

In the daytime, do not give your arm to a lady that is not your mother, wife, or sister or an elderly or invalid lady. Well, who is left?

Never salute a lady with a gesture of the hand; tip your hat. Will a ball cap work? Tom wears a hat at the lake, you could be Queen Elizabeth and he would not take it off--messy hair, you know.

Never apologize when you shake hands with a gloved hand.

Do not take two ladies upon your arms except for their protection. From what?

Do not stare around the room, nor ask questions about the price of the furniture. Let's hope he isn't in a furniture store!!!

Addressing people is no reason or excuse for touching them. If you are wearing gloves, does that mean you aren't touching them?

It is not nice to whisper in public. Have you seen this? It is rude.

Your napkin is for your lips and beard, do not wipe your face with it. Well, I am glad they made that rule! So I guess dipping your napkin in your water goblet is out too!

Do not clean your nails, nose or your ears in public. Can I pick my nose at home?

Isn't this fun! We live in a world of paper wrappers and bags. It is hard to find a restaurant with table clothes, cloth napkins, and flatware which includes spoons. Most of the food we order is at least pre-made. The salad comes in a huge bag and someone takes a handful out of the bag. The salad lady puts on the dressing and may had a tomato or cucumber. No one is peeling tons of potatoes in the back room. Hey, they probably aren't even baking them, rather microwaving or cooking then in a convention oven.

For those of us who lived in Thief River Falls, MN and went to Inga's for lunch. We knew those potatoes were real. We knew the roast beef came from Joppru's and was cooked there; it did not come in already cooked and warmed in a steamer. We knew times had changed when all the French Fries at the Fountain were all the same size.

If I could take back all the time I lingered at the Rex waiting for a chicken to be cooked.....well, you get the idea.

Taste that roast beef sandwich from Inga's in your mind that you ate with a knife and fork. Let your kids and your grand children think roast beef is something from Arby's with horse radish. It is no wonder when a family visited the children could not recognize what the food was.

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