I am really fussy about table manners. I just can't handle it when people are rude whilst eating at a table including at home and in restaurants. Maybe I am just an extreme fuss pot or my obsessive compulsive features are rearing their ugly head again.

In January I went out for dinner with a group of friends. When at the restaurant we ordered drinks etc followed by the meal. When the meals started to arrive everyone started tucking in before half the people at the table had even got their meals. One friend took a mobile phone call during dinner and talked so loudly that the enitire restaurant could hear her conversation. Another friend slurrped his soup like he was having his last supper. The enitre meal was filled with people talking with their mouths full of food and people shoveling their food on to forks without even acknowledging that there is such a thing as a knife. It also wasn't a factor that these people didn't know better, they were all well educated and have attend formal fubctions many times.

My blood was boiling by the end of the meal and I felt like throttling all the offenders. I just couldn't relax and enjoy the meal with this circus going on around me.

Was I right to be offended at their behaviour? Do you thinkI need to chill? Am I a bit uptight? Everyone else at the meal (in a nice reataurant by the way) thought it was perfectly normal and acceptable to behave in this way.

Let me know your thoughts!

I think you were right to be offended Pcc, especially since these people should know better. You NEVER start until everyone has been served and even though the conversation is flowing, try to resist talking with your mouthful!

That said, what is the deal with an open sandwich or foccacia, do you pick up or cut the bugger with your knife and fork?:question:

Agreed. How rude! I think it's more disappointing than anything - you were out for a nice meal with friends...must have put a real dampener on the evening. Answering the mobile - that's the worst.

Bad table manners is one of the main reasons I don't go out to dinner much any more. It's not good, because I'm worried I'm becoming a bit intolerant of others. I really don't like how some people eat as though it's their last meal - shovelling it in. Actually I think it's just being able to hear other people eat so loudly. So much for going out for a relaxed evening with atmosphere!

Luisa re: open sandwiches etc I know what you mean. Same with a fancy burger. Depends what mood I'm in. Mostly a knife and fork but if I'm hungry, that burger needs a pair of hands!

I agree. You had every right to be offended. I hate bad table manners to. Being 23, some people being my age forget about these things and it does get on my nerves sometimes. My parents used to always make us sit down at the table as a family to eat dinner, and we had to make sure our elbows were'nt on the table and that we sat at the table until everyone had finished.

Luisa, I usually cut it in half and then pick up the smaller pieces with my hands. Much easier to handle !

My grandmother is always very particular about manners so I picked it up from an early age. Knives and forks placed neatly in the centre of your plate when finished. It's not "I'm full" its "I've had sufficient". No elbows on the table. If you had to prop your head up because you were tired then you were too tired to eat. TV always turned off etc.

I HATE it when people talk with their mouth full (lol I nearly said eat with mouth full).

I agree with all of you. I also find it annoying when you are for dinner and there is constantly mobile phones going off.:explode:

In regards to eating foccacia etc. I do the same as Elizabeth, cut it in half and pick up small pieces. I think it is perfectly acceptable.

Sitting there picking food out of your teeth is a no-no too. No one wants to catch glimpses of fillings!!

What annoys me is when you're out having a meal with someone and they scoff their food down within a minute and then sit there trying to hurry you up.....that's frustrating.

Thank God it's not just me. People make me feel like an anally retentive snob for being so prticular about table manners and the way in which people eat. I was really getting a complex that I had issues about these things and that other people don't seem to care.

I was brought up in a very strict home environment as far as these things go and then when going off to a very posh private school I was taught all these types of things (some of those at the dinner went to that same school). I am so thankful I am not the only person who is fussy about these things!

I completely agree! Bad manners are the WORST! I have a friend I actually can't eat with or be around for too long because she has terrible table manners and bad social behaviour in general. I'm extremely thankful of my parents being so strict about manners and being polite.

I'm a stickler for manners in general. 'Please' and 'thankyou' are so important. Even the skills to be able to hold a converation and have manners to ask how someones day was..

Most children these days (and alot of adults) don't have basic skills or manners. Very dissappointing!

Oh...... and I'm so perfect!! LMAO :whistle: :strawberry:

I absolutley can't stand mobile phones in restaurants!!!! I hate it when I see some poor person with their partner on the phone, and they just have to sit there:flames:

I saw on a morning tv show a few weeks ago that there are now many restaurants that will not serve people if they are on their mobile phone. I think it is a pretty sad state of affairs if you cant switch your phone off for an hour or so whilst you have a meal.

I agree, I do not like poor table manners. I too was brought up with no elbows on the table, no tv, using cutlery properly etc. BUT I prefer not to go out to really fancy places because I prefer to feel relaxed and not worry about what I, or my friends, are doing. I am a big fan of 'cheap and cheerful' restaurants and cafes where it is ok to put your elbows on the table - I don't see why this is so rude. I don't want to worry about sloshing spaghetti bolognese down my front most of the time. Is that really bad??

No not all Celestefay I am much the same. I love a relaxed restaurant with good food and casual atmosphere. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable in silver service restaurants because the atmosphere is non existent and the staff are so uptight they could carry your meal out with their but cheeks!

I think a really good restaurant will have staff that make you feel completely at ease and comfortable, the food will speak for its self and you will have a great time without even thinking about it!

I would have to agree with everyone on this one. I think it's indicative of the sloppy world we live in generally - very few manners anywhere. It's all about me, me, me and everyone else can go jump. No one has any thought for anyone else. Such a sorry state of affairs. And don't get me started on "all you can eat" restaurants - watching some people pile their plates high and going back over and over again as if they're never going to be fed again, is just disgusting. I think they starve themselves for the week just so they can eat and eat and eat. I have now had my grizzle and grump session.

I'm getting a bit off track here but I just wanted to tell you all about this thing that happened to me in January.

I was walking into my local Newsagent to get my beloved magazines when I saw an elderly lady coming along on a walking frame (she would have been in her 80's). I politely held the door open for her to enter the shop. She turned around and went berserk at me saying that just because she was old didn't mean she was useless and told me never to open a door for her again or she would clock me over the head with my handbag.

I was so embarrassed and a bit incensed also. My parents taught me to always respect other people. If there was an older person on a bus or a mother with a baby I was to stand and offer them my seat. If I saw someone struggling with shopping I was to offer assistance and If I was entering a building I was to hold the door open for any other people wishing to enter at the same time.

was walking into my local Newsagent to get my beloved magazines when I saw an elderly lady coming along on a walking frame (she would have been in her 80's). I politely held the door open for her to enter the shop. She turned around and went berserk at me saying that just because she was old didn't mean she was useless and told me never to open a door for her again or she would clock me over the head with my handbag.Oh my gosh! That's awful! I find that my Nanna get's angry about things similar to that and I think she does it because she's bored and wants to find things to complain about. So, don't lose heart PCC! If you see her again you should open the door for her again and give her a big grin while you do it.

Not all old people are nice

I agree. I've found many older people can be quite awful really.

PCC don't let her put you off. One day she is going to chuck a tanty at someone who wont open the door for her. Some people are never satisfied. It's polite and I'm sure most people would have supported you.

No not all Celestefay I am much the same. I love a relaxed restaurant with good food and casual atmosphere. Sometimes I feel uncomfortable in silver service restaurants because the atmosphere is non existent and the staff are so uptight they could carry your meal out with their but cheeks!

I think a really good restaurant will have staff that make you feel completely at ease and comfortable, the food will speak for its self and you will have a great time without even thinking about it!

Never mind about the Nanna, I am still laughing about butt cheeks!:chuckle:

Don't like smorgasbords - what are we, cattle at the trough?!

Manners: I like them. I use them, although I slip, just as we all do.

Mobiles: I keep mine on if I am there without my hubby & both boys (as in, all 4 of us there) BUT I put it on silent, and excuse myself and leave table before I answer. If possible, I get out of the dining area before I answer, if not possible, I give it a quick 'Hi, hold on til I can talk' as I head for space.