Miss Manners' Basic Training: Eating

by Judith Martin

We eat every day, three or more times, yet the skill of taking nourishment properly has all but disappeared from our society. We are afflicted with fear of forks and baffled by the sight of more than one plate before us on the table. Blame it on the demise of the family dinner or the advent of "do your own thing, many of us have never learned, or have simply forgotten, the rules for eating in civilized company.
In her fabulously witty style, Miss Manners reacquaints us with the proper use of implements for navigating nourishment from plate to mouth and gives specific, practical advice on all manner of mealtime issues:

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Humor, Self Help

176 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1997

About the author

Judith Martin (née Perlman), better known by the pen name Miss Manners, is an American journalist, author, and etiquette authority.

Since 1978 she has written an advice column, which is distributed three times a week by United Features Syndicate and carried in more than 200 newspapers worldwide. In the column, she answers etiquette questions contributed by her readers and writes short essays on problems of manners, or clarifies the essential qualities of politeness.

Reviews

[Nicol · Rating 2 out of 5]

I prefer the Emily Post etiquette books over the ones in the Miss Manners series. Perhaps it is because I like simple cut and dry answers over the flowery joke filled ones that leave you wondering what the actual answer was.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the tongue-in-cheek humor used to expound upon obscure rules of dining etiquette. The dripping sarcasm used to respond to particularly ridiculous questions also tickles my funny bone. About half way through the book I decided I knew more than I ever wanted to know about the proper way to eat seafood (a food category I despise) and the proper dishes and utensils needed to serve various unfamiliar dishes. A delightful evening's reading.

[Mary Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusing and informative.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

1. Forks on the left, with the outside to inside order of use
2. knives on the right
3. Soup spoons are to the right of the knives
4. Napkin on plate means you are done, napkin on back of chair means you are going to the restroom
5. Don’t talk with food in your mouth.
6. Don’t get up from the table unless you ask to be excused. The dinner table is about more than eating, it’s about discussion and checking in with each other.
7. No electronics on the table.
8. Napkin holders were originally used for hygiene and used to identify who had which napkin and save yourself from doing too much laundry.
9. Sip soup from the side of the spoon.
10. Twirl your spaghetti on the plate not in the air
11. Cut one bite at a time to keep the food warm
12. When cutting food, the fork is held tines down and each index fingers pressing down on the handle.
13. You aren’t suppose to pack each bite with other items from the plate.

[Emery · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generally speaking, lovely overview -- though some things could have been broken down and explained better (and illustrations would have been nice!) and some points were no brainers. Still, funny and a decent start.

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a quick read and is very educational (if etiquette is your thing). She goes through EVERYTHING from using dining equipment to how to eat depending on where you are and when it is. I have always found this subject interesting!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just ever, ever, ever delightful. Miss Manners has an answer for any situation and a great way of writing about her own penchant for silly and superfluous tableware that completely melts my heart every time. Nothing but love.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say, I'm a HUGE Miss Manners fan. I find her very interesting and entertaining.

[Kaethe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the idea of these little books: a scaled down mini course in one specific topic. Miss Manners is always an amusing writer.