What table manners did you grow up with at home?

B Natural answer

I grew up with pretty simple table manners. We were expected to say please and thank you whenever someone passed food or poured water. Another rule was to finish what was on my plate, unless I really felt full, because wasting food was frowned on. My family also told us not to talk with my mouth full, which was hard for me as a child because I liked telling stories at dinner. Those habits made meals feel orderly, and they still show up in how I eat today, especially when I'm with older relatives or guests.

Key phrases in this answer

• say please and thank you — use polite words when asking or receiving something“We were taught to say please and thank you every day.”
• finish what was on my plate — eat all the food you were given“As a child, I was told to finish what was on my plate.”
• talk with my mouth full — speak while food is still in your mouth“My parents never let me talk with my mouth full.”
• wait until everyone was served — delay eating until everyone has food“At family dinners, we had to wait until everyone was served.”
• keep my elbows off the table — avoid resting your elbows while eating“My grandmother always told me to keep my elbows off the table.”
• set the table together — arrange plates, cups, and cutlery as a group“On weekends, we often set the table together.”