UK NEWS

TABLE MANNERS MAKETH THE MAN

A child's table manners could shape career prospects

Thursday May 17,2007

By Sarah O'Grady

Comment Speech Bubble Have your say(2)

EATING with mouths open, chewing noisily and not saying please or thank you could harm children’s career and relationship prospects, say half of British parents.

And bad table manners are not tolerated in most homes as mums and dads say it’s their job to teach their youngsters about mealtime etiquette.

More than 70 per cent of parents say this is best done during family meals and now make an effort to eat with their children three times a week, claims a survey into the nation’s dining habits.

Two-thirds of parents feel responsibility for manners and social etiquette lies with them. Just five per cent blame failing schools and teachers for their child’s lack of politeness.

Only one per cent agree that “manners and dining etiquette are outdated notions and have nothing to do with how we live today”.

Not saying please or thank you is the worst thing their children could do at the table for three-quarters of parents, and children also believe manners are an indicator of overall good behaviour.

Even if there is no dining table to sit around, families are congregating around the breakfast bar or kitchen table and children are encouraged to mind their manners.

However, despite the trend for families reuniting over meals many spend less time there as they rush to work or school or after-school activities.

More than half (58 per cent) of those polled spend about 30 minutes or less eating their main meal.

But only one per cent spend no time eating with their family due to work and other lifestyle pressures, according to the Knife & Fork Report, commissioned by Fairy cleaning products. Family expert Pat Spungin, of http://www.raisingkids.co.uk, said: “Parents are very conscious that what children learn at home will influence their life chances.

“On one level this applies to teaching good table manners but it also extends to the strength and security that children gain from being in a close and loving family.

“One of the best places to demonstrate this is at the table, sharing a meal with the family, eating good food and talking to each other.”

Daily Express columnist, broadcaster and mother-of-two Vanessa Feltz said: “Mums and dads are prepared to invest time and energy to make meals family occasions because they realise eating together holds the key to developing children’s manners, social poise and conversational skills.

“Only when children are comfortable chatting, chewing and listening to other people in their own homes can parents be confident of their behaviour in outside social settings.

“Good table manners begin at home.”

What do YOU think? Our Britain's youngsters more badly behaved than ever before? Comment NOW on Have Your Say.

TABLE MANNERS...

17.05.07, 6:11pm

Of course good manners begin at home. Children learn by example. What used to be taken for granted iappears to be a big issue now. Teachers cannot and should not be expected to do the parent's job. It is not fair to them and their time should be for teaching classes.

• Posted by: Elizabeth • Report Comment

TABLE MANNERS MAKETH MAN

17.05.07, 3:59pm

From the downslide in the most basic of good manners in the past 20 years, I'd say that the future generations are going to end up complete savages, resembling the portrayal of the future in the film Mad Max.

• Posted by: karen1 • Report Comment