Eat not in the Streets, nor in the House, out of Season.
* * * * *
Speak not of doleful Things in a Time of Mirth or at the Table;
Speak not of Melancholy Things as Death and Wounds,
and if others Mention them Change if you can the Discourse
tell not your Dreams, but to your intimate Friend.
* * * * *
Being Set at meat Scratch not neither Spit Cough or blow your Nose
except there's a Necessity for it.
* * * * *
Make no Shew of taking great Delight in your Victuals,
Feed no[t] with Greediness; cut your Bread with a Knife,
lean not on the Table neither find fault with what you Eat.
* * * * *
Take no Salt or cut Bread with your Knife Greasy.
* * * * *
Entertaining any one at table it is decent to present him wt. meat,
Undertake not to help others undesired by the Master.
* * * * *
If you Soak bread in the Sauce let it be no more than
what you [pu]t in your Mouth at a time
and blow not your broth at Table [bu]t Stay till Cools of it Self.
* * * * *
Put not your meat to your Mouth with your Knife in your ha[nd
ne]ither Spit forth the Stones of any fruit Pye upon a Dish
nor Cas[t an]ything under the table.
* * * * *
It's unbecoming to Stoop much to ones Meat Keep your Fingers clea[n
&] when foul wipe them on a Corner of your Table Napkin.
* * * * *
Put not another bit into your Mouth til the former be Swallowed
[l]et not your Morsels be too big for the Gowls.
* * * * *
Drink not nor talk with your mouth full
neither Gaze about you while you are a Drinking.
* * * * *
Drink not too leisurely nor yet too hastily. Before and after Drinking
wipe your Lips breath not then or Ever with too Great a Noise,
for its uncivil.
* * * * *
Cleanse not your teeth with the Table Cloth Napkin Fork or Knife
but if Others do it let it be done wt. a Pick Tooth.
* * * * *
Rince not your Mouth in the Presence of Others.
* * * * *
It is out of use to call upon the Company often to Eat
nor need you Drink to others every Time you Drink.
* * * * *
In Company of your Betters be no[t longer in eating] than they are
lay not your Arm but o[nly your hand upon the table].
* * * * *
It belongs to the Chiefest in Company to unfold his Napkin
and fall to Meat first, But he ought then to Begin in time
& to Dispatch [w]ith Dexterity
that the Slowest may have time allowed him.
* * * * *
Be not Angry at Table whatever happens & if you have reason to be so,
Shew it not but on a Chearfull Countenance
especially if there be Strangers for Good Humour makes one Dish
of Meat a Feas[t].
* * * * *
Set not yourself at the upper of the Table but if it Be your Due
or that the Master of the house will have it So, Contend not,
least you Should Trouble the Company.
* * * * *
If others talk at Table be attentive but talk not with Meat in your Mouth.
- Cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough and say excuse me.
- Refrain from releasing gas in public. "Slips" should be followed immediately with excuse me or pardon me. Others must not respond with excessive laughter.
- Cover your mouth when you yawn.
- Do not talk with your mouth full.
- Take your time. There is no need to eat fast.
- Finish one bite before inserting another.
- Do not blow your nose at the table.
- Place a napkin in your lap when you sit down with your food for lunch. Do not leave your soiled napkin on the table or tray.
- Eat your meals with a closed mouth, not exposing your chewings to your neighbors.
- Only certain foods are designed to be eaten with the hands.
- Pay attention to other people.
- Keep your elbows/arms off of the table.
- After dining in the cafeteria or elsewhere, be responsible for your trash.
- Do not even cause others to envision gross scenes or items by crude and coarse talk.
- Do not use your fork or napkin to clean your teeth.
- Keep the conversation positive and appropriate.
- Do not show disrespect with gestures.