Etiquette Tuesday: Out with the Old…
©JohnnaKnowsGoodFood
A recent trip out with Mum led to this week’s etiquette tip. She pointed out something that I had not thought about since I began researching etiquette tips some odd years ago. The same rules do not apply. It’s as simple as that for this week’s Etiquette Tuesday. What does this mean? The same etiquette rules do not apply today that were relevant 30 years ago. Elbows on the table, for example, were absolutely unacceptable in all the etiquette manuals of the 60’s and 70’s versus today where you would be hard pressed to find a restaurant where at least one person does not have their elbows on the table.
Another example is the napkin on the lap rule. I visited the Ritz Carlton the other day for afternoon tea and was reminded this old rule still stands: napkins in the lap as soon as you sit down. This rule, however, is not absolute where I visited another restaurant recently and when the napkins did not hit my guest’s laps, no one turned a head to take note of this missed step. Times have changed. Now this does not mean etiquette tips are not prevalent, it simply means some of the rules have been loosened or completely tossed out. Showing up late, grooming at the table, etc., etc. are still unacceptable. Moral of the story: We’ll be back next week because there are still etiquette tips to be shared, just new ones…
Category: Etiquette Tuesday
About the Author (Author Profile)
Johnna French is a Harlem NY native with deep roots in Panama, Washington, DC and North Carolina. All four places have heavily influenced her life and the foods she loves today. After graduating Howard University School of Law and beginning her life as a young professional in the city she was led to start Johnna Knows Good Food in November 2007 to keep family, friends and colleagues updated on where to go and what to eat while dining in the nation’s capitol. French, who still practices law, leads a team of three writers to cover the ever expanding Washington, DC food scene. French has been featured in print and television, appearing in Washingtonian Magazine and is a regular contributor to various local TV affiliates including WUSA 9, FOX 5 DC and WJLA (ABC Affiliate) News Channel 8. During the 2016-2017 football season, Johnna aired on Comcast Sports Mid-Atlantic (CSN) show, Redskins Life, as the weekly tailgate host. Johnna is currently a regular contributor to the FOX Baltimore Weekend morning show.Subscribe
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