A great way to teach your children restaurant etiquette is to play restaurant! Take turns being the waitress/waiter and the guests. You as the parent could pretend to be a rude customer to show them what not to do! Here are some tips on restaurant etiquette:
Napkin Etiquette
Demonstrate how to unfold the napkin and put it on your lap. If you need to go to the bathroom, show them that you put the napkin on your chair instead of the table.
Sitting Properly
No elbows on the table and there really isn't a reason to get up except to go to the bathroom!
Eating Utensils
Show your children how to navigate the eating utensils on the table.
Eating Soup
No slurping or leaning over! Hold the spoon like a pencil.
Swirling Pasta
No fingers! Use your spoon to rest your fork and help you twist.
Cutting the Entree
Show your children how to hold the fork in the opposite hand of your dominate hand and cut with your dominate hand and then switch to eat.
Talking With Food
Explain the polite way to acknowledge that you heard someone speak to you or ask a question, and then wait until you are finished chewing to answer or speak.
Ordering Food
Demonstrate how to ask politely for the food that you want to order.
The following video is a great clip to help you teach your child restaurant etiquette!
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