Bad table manners

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-20-2007
Bad table manners
3
Wed, 11-21-2007 - 11:00am

Hi guys,


I'm about to post on several boards because I am in desperate need of advice. My otherwise fantastic boyfriend has some pretty bad table manners. While this is not a deal breaker, I am a stickler for such things and he drives me crazy sometimes. For example...not using a knife and pushing food with his finger (yuck!); talking with his mouth open; not holding the fork correctly...etc. What is interesting is that his parents are very well mannered. Go figure.


So my question is: how do I gently, yet efficiently, point him in the right direction? I have tried leading by example but it doesn't seem to be catching on. I think I need to be more agressive. I am having trouble with this since I don't want to be offensive. I keep having nightmares about him meeting my mother who'd be horrified if we sat down for dinner at this point in time (yes, she's a tough cookie).


Any advice?! Please?

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-10-2007
Wed, 11-21-2007 - 12:31pm

I have not been in this situation before so I'm not sure I'm going to be of much help.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-04-2005
Wed, 11-21-2007 - 5:31pm

I totally understand!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-15-2003
Mon, 11-26-2007 - 1:27pm

Tell him how great you think he is, name specifically some things you really like about him - then say though that there is one teensy thing you wish he might do a little differently if possible and show him


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