For a lot of us, etiquette and fine dining was taught to us in school. I didn’t even learn about fine dining until I was old enough to google it myself (just so that I do not embarrass my entire generation (lol)).
I don’t want that for my kids. I would prefer they learn etiquette and fine dining from home. And in this generation where we take date nights seriously, it would be nice if we include the kids now and again.
Apart from etiquette being a lesson that is useful for them throughout their life time, taking them out to practice their etiquette teach the kids to be poise outside. And don’t forget the bonding time with you and your partner.
Alright! Where should you start from:
Have dinner together. Sit around the table together at home to eat. You will not only bond with your kids, they will also pick up on some dinning cues that you might not be able to explain.
Teach them basic etiquette like chewing with their mouth closed, washing their hands before coming to the table, what to eat with spoons and what to eat with forks, and what type of fork or spoons is suitable for what. Also where their table cloth should be. These are basic etiquette that you should start to teach early (based on their level of understanding) so that they get used to it. You would also need to know them.
A gadget free table. While dinning, teach the kids to put their tabs/phones away. Food is meant to be enjoyed and the company be cherished.
Have them set the table. Yes, you will find that a lot of kids love to help with this.
Let them help with clearing the plates and clean up. It is courtesy to clean up after yourself when you are done eating. Practice that and teach the kids to do the same.
Teach them the proper way to exit a table should they want to leave before dinner is over. And teach them to say, “thank you” after having the meal.
If you do this constantly at home, they will behave a lot better when you go together to a restaurant to eat.