Etiquette and Manners & Table manners

Personal Conduct & Appearance 
Your personal appearance and conduct are very important to the operation of Pittsburg State University. High standards of appearance and conduct build student confidence in our ability to help them. Employees are, therefore, required to dress in appropriate attire and to conduct themselves in a professional manner. Please use good judgment in your choice of work clothes and remember to conduct yourself at all times in a way that best represents you and PSU (Pittsburg State University).
Employees are also required to keep their work area clean and orderly. Before departing at the end of the workday, you should lock all files and cabinets and clear all work materials from desk surfaces, especially materials of a sensitive or confidential nature.
E. Etiquette and Manners 
Respect, kindness, and consideration form the basis of good manners and good citizen- ship. Etiquette becomes the language of manners. 
Rules of etiquette cover behavior in talking, acting, living, and moving; in other words, every type of interaction and every situation.
MANNERS AND ETIQUETTE go hand in hand, but are not the same. Etiquette is a set of rules dealing with exterior form. Manners are an expression of inner character. According to Emily Post, perhaps the most influential American writer on etiquette in the twentieth century, "manners are made up of trivialities of deportment which can be easily learned if one does not happen to know them; manner is personality—the outward manifestation of one's innate character and attitude toward life." Manners are common sense, a combination of generosity of spirit and specific know-how. Rules of etiquette are the guiding codes that enable us to practice manners.
Most commentators would agree with Emily Post and add that rather than being stiff, rigid rules, proper etiquette is meant to help people get along with each other and avoid conflict. Respect, kindness, and consideration form the basis of good manners and good citizen-ship. Etiquette becomes the language of manners. Rules of etiquette cover behavior in talking, acting, living, and moving; in other words, every type of interaction and every situation.

Importance of Good Manners and Etiquettes
Good manners are important for considering the feelings of other people and being the kind of person that others will like and respect. In the ‘olden days’ children were taught about the Golden Rule, “Always do to others as you would wish them to do to you if you were in their place.” This is still a good way to behave nowadays. If you are respectful to others then you are more likely to be treated with respect by them. If you show good manners everywhere you go, you are more likely to encourage others to behave in the same way towards you. Jump to good manners chart.
Good manners show the best you have to offer and encourage others to be their best. Practicing these manners on a daily basis makes for a more pleasant life.
Be thoughtful
Be cheerful
Be generous
Be co-operative
Be helpful
Don’t be bossy
Don’t put people down or say rude things
Respect other’s privacy
Take care of personal property
Manners are important to make a good impression on others in everyday life. They also helps you to feel good about yourself and your identity.  No matter where you are, at home- with kids, at work- with colleagues, or with friends, practicing good manners are important. If you practice good manners, you are showing those around you that you are considerate to their feelings and also respect them. You are also setting standards for other’s behavior and encouraging them to treat you with similar respect.
Basic Examples of Good Manners and Etiquettes
Choose your words wisely and don’t rush to comment about things you don’t know much about. 
Being a good listener is often better than speaking. 
You don’t need to have an opinion on everything.
Think things out before you speak, especially if you are a person who may be poor at finding the right words to say. 
Don’t speak loudly. You will quickly lose respect if you do, as this can be seen as overbearing and rude. It can also make other people angry and upset with you before you even establish some kind of relationship with them. They will see you as a ‘big mouth’ who cannot be trusted with anything confidential. So practice turning your volume down if you tend to have a loud voice.
Speak with respect to and of others. You can do this by avoiding negative remarks that may insult someone else. The general rule is- if you don’t want someone to speak about you that way, you don’t speak about them to others.
Do not ever speak of bodily functions even if it is a casual conversation, such as using the bathroom or telling crude jokes, for this shows sign of immaturity and often creates a bad impression of you with your friends, family, and co-workers.
Always respect older people and listen to them and learn. This applies to all elders and not just parents and grandparents.
Using the terms ‘Thank You’, and ‘You are Welcome’ shows that you have good manners. People who lack manners do not use these terms.
Hold open a door for anyone following you closely. This is a sign of a good manner and has never changed. There are no strict gender rules in this day and age.
Speak highly of your parents respect them, even if there are things about them that you do not like. If you cannot do that, stay away from speaking about them at all. It looks bad to insult or speak badly of the people who brought you into this world or raised you. Don’t wash dirty family laundry in public. It is negative and rude.
Do not swear to use filth (disgusting dirt.) language and curse words. It is unprofessional! People who do this are usually very immature and have no self-control or respect for themselves and others!
Good manners are simply respect and consideration for others or being aware of the needs of others. They are the oil which lubricates the friction of interpersonal relations and creates a happy and successful society. So, Give Respect and Take Respect!
F. Table manners 
Table manners are the rules used while eating, which may also include the use of utensils. Different cultures observe different rules for table manners. Each family or group sets its own standards for how strictly these rules are to be used.
Although dining out has become more casual, it still isn't acceptable to talk with your mouth full of food, rock the table with your elbows, or interfere with other diners' experiences by displaying improper etiquette. It's important to follow certain manners guidelines in both formal settings and fast food restaurants.
Table manners importance
Table manners are important in both professional and social situations, so it's a good idea to know some basics. There may be some slight variations, depending on your region and what is locally acceptable, so if you are at a dinner party, pay attention to the host or hostess and take cues from them.
Whether no one ever taught you dining etiquette or you've forgotten what you learned, here are some tips to show that you know how to behave at the table. Using proper etiquette at the table will also help you socially and professionally in a restaurant or in someone's home.
Before the Dinner
If you are invited to have dinner with someone, it is always a good idea to respond, even if an RSVP is not requested. This helps with planning. Don’t ask if you can bring extra guests if the invitation doesn’t make the offer. However, if your family is invited to someone’s home for dinner, it is okay to ask if your children are included. If they are, make sure your children know good manners before they go.
Gift 

When you are dining at the home of a friend, it is a good idea to bring a host or hostess gift. Don’t expect your gift to be used during the meal. Most dinner parties have carefully planned menu items, and your gift may not go with the meal.
Getting Started
Some dinner parties are formal and have place cards where the host or hostess wants you to sit. If not, ask if there are seating preferences. Wait until the host sits before you do. In some cultures, a blessing will be said. Even if you don’t follow the beliefs of the prayer, show respect and be silent. If the host offers a toast, lift your glass. It is not necessary to “clink” someone else’s glass.
Napkin
As soon as you sit down, turn to your host or hostess and take a cue for when to begin. Once the host unfolds his or her napkin, you should remove your napkin from the table or plate, and place it on your lap. If you are dining out, you should place your napkin in you lap immediately.
Keep your napkin in your lap until you are finished eating. If you must get up at any time during the meal and plan to return, place the napkin on either side of your plate. After you are finished, place your napkin on the table to the left of your plate.
When to Eat
If you are eating out, you should wait until all the members of your group have been served before picking up your fork. At a private dinner, observe the host or hostess and pick up your fork when he or she does. However, if you are at a buffet, you may start when there are others seated at your table.
Silverware
One of the most common issues to confuse today’s diners is which utensil to use for each course. A typical rule of thumb is to start with the utensil that is farthest from your plate and work your way toward the center of your place setting. If you see the host or hostess doing something different, you may follow his or her lead. The important thing is to remain as inconspicuous as possible.
Food
For dinners where food is served at the table, the dishes should be passed in a counter-clockwise flow. Never reach across the table for anything. Instead, ask that condiments be passed from the person closest to the item. Salt and pepper should be passed together. Always use serving utensils and not your own to lift food from the serving dish.
Eating
Table manners were designed to keep people from scarfing food down like animals, so learn them before you eat with others. One of the most important things to keep in mind is that you should never call attention to yourself by blatantly breaking the rules set by society.
Here are some essential dining etiquette rules that you should follow:
Turn off your cell phone before sitting down. It is rude to talk on your phone or text while in the company of others.
Never talk when you have food in your mouth. That’s just gross. Even if someone asks you a question, wait until you swallow before answering.
Taste your food before you add salt, pepper, or other seasoning. Doing otherwise may be insulting to the host or hostess. If you are dining with a prospective employer, the person may perceive you as someone 
who acts without knowing the facts.
Don’t cut all your food before you begin eating. Cut one or two bites at a time.
Never blow on your food. If it is hot, wait a few minutes for it to cool off. Scoop your soup away from you.
Some foods are meant to be eaten with your fingers. Follow the lead of the host or hostess.
If you are drinking from a stemmed glass, hold it by the stem.
Break your bread into bite-sized pieces and butter only one bite at a time.
Try at least one or two bites of everything on your plate, unless you are allergic to it.
Compliment the hostess if you like the food, but don’t voice your opinion if you don’t.
Use your utensils for eating, not gesturing.
Keep your elbows off the table. Rest the hand you are not using in your lap.
Eat slowly and pace yourself to finish at the same approximate time as the host or hostess.
Avoid burping or making other rude sounds at the table.
If you spill something at a restaurant, signal one of the servers to help. If you spill something at a private dinner party in someone’s home, pick it up and blot the spill. Offer to have it professionally cleaned if necessary.
When you finish eating, leave your utensils on your plate or in your bowl.
Never use a toothpick or dental floss at the table.
You may reapply your lipstick, but don’t freshen the rest of your makeup at the table. 
After the Meal
After you finish eating, partially fold your napkin and place it to the left of your plate. Wait until the host or hostess signals that the meal is over, you may stand. After the meal is over, don’t eat and run. If nothing is planned after dinner, stick around for approximately an hour before saying good-bye to the host and thanking him or her for the dinner. If the event is informal, you may offer to help clean up.
Later
Always send the host or hostess a thank you note or card in the mail, and don’t wait more than a day or two after the event. Address the host or hostess, thank him or her for the lovely dinner, and add another short, positive comment to show your appreciation. Your note may be brief but heartfelt.
Basic Table Manners to Teach Your Kids
1. Come to the table with her hands and face clean. Teach your children always to wash up before dinner, says Patricia Rossi, author of Everyday Etiquette. Not only does this show respect for the person who prepared the meal as well as others at the dinner table, but it is also an important healthy hygiene habit.
2. Always ask if there is anything you can do. Whether at home or someone else’s house, always ask the grown-up if you can help do anything to get ready for dinner.
3. If setting the table, remember BMW. Children who are old enough to help set the table can remember where things go with this simple rule: BMW. Bread and milk go on the left and water on the right. They can also remember where silverware goes by the number of letters in the words “left” and “right,” says Rossi. The fork goes on the left and has four letters. The knife goes on the right and has five letters.
4. Watch the host to see when you should unfold your napkin. If she puts her napkin on her lap, that’s the signal for you to put your napkin on yours.
5. Wait until everyone is served before eating. Tell your child never to begin eating until everyone is seated and served.
6. Never, ever chew with your mouth open. Chewing with your mouth closed and not talking when your mouth is full are two cardinal rules of good table manners.
7. Never stuff your mouth. Teach your child to take small bites and never wolf down his food.
8. Do not interrupt when someone else is talking. At the dinner table, practice interrupting-child having your child wait their turn to speak when talking about their day or another subject.
Get kids into the habit of talking about news, their friends, how school was, and other interesting subjects.
9. Never reach to get something. Remind your child never to reach across the table to get salt or anything else he needs. Get her into the habit of asking table mates to pass something he needs.
10. Put the napkin on the chair, not the table. Teach your child always to put her napkin on her chair if she needs to use the restroom. It should never go on her plate or the table.
11. Always push his chair in when finished. When he gets up from the table, he should push his chair back against the table.
12. Always pick up your plate and say thank you. This is an important habit to get your child into at home because if it becomes a part of his routine, he will be more likely to do it when he is a guest in someone else’s home. If you are at a restaurant, teach your child to make eye contact with the waiter and say “thank you.” "We encourage our children to order for themselves and say thank you,” says Rossi. “If they do not do it, they do not get dessert.”
Good table manners, like good manners in general, will be appreciated by people who come into contact with your child. Teach her that when she shows respect for others, she will get great things in return.