This little ditty is going around Facebook.....
Grab the book closest to you.
Turn to page 56.
What is the 5th sentence on the page?
It is also very important to have just the right serving pieces.
I am writing at the desk in the kitchen today. The closest book to me (I could reach it right over my head) is called Dinner is Served, An English Butler's Guide to the Art of the Table.
Action stopped by to look over my shoulder on his way to the pantry. He saw the book on my desk. He ran away screaming, "AHHHHH! Mom has THE BOOK out. RUN!!!!!"
When my peeps don't use proper table manners, I pull out this book and read from it while we are still at the table so they will have a chance to correct their behavior. I consider mealtime at home a dress rehearsal for the future State Dinners they will attend (thinking big here).
The peeps call it torture.
I started using THE BOOK when Big Daddy and I had a discussion over the proper table setting for glasses at the table one night. (The peeps had actually asked a question that spurred the conversation.....we don't just sit around pondering proper table settings for water goblets and wine glasses....) My friend Craftier had given me THE BOOK and I grabbed it to answer the question.
At some time later on that same week, the peeps were acting up at the table. I corrected them, and then Action retorted that he didn't believe that my correction was "the rule" (trust me, he didn't actually care about the accuracy of "the rule", he just wanted to be contrary and, in his own mind, funny). I again turned to THE BOOK for the answer.
I was right about "the rule" in question. So, THE BOOK has now become the tool I use to enforce proper manners at the table. If I've made a correction at the table (put both feet in front of you.....stop hanging on the side of your glass......your plate is not a trough.....scoop the soup using the back edge of the spoon.....) and they don't respond, I just reach for THE BOOK.
The peeps groan and whine and roll their eyes. Not THE BOOK.
One day they'll thank me.
In the meantime, I need to review my serving pieces.
Piece out!
5 comments:
Book I'm reading: "Bringing up boys" by Dr. James Dobson. Page 56, sentence 5:
"The influence of a good father can hardly be overemphasized."
--Delaweird
I can't reach a book from where I'm sitting. Sorry. Hey can my 9 year-old son come to live with you for the summer? He needs The Book!
-FringeGirl
"piece out"
You crack me up!
My sister raised me from the ripe old age of 11. We used to have huge battles at the dinner table over my lack of good table manners. I remember it to this day. I could not be more thankful today that she cared enough to do that even with the conflict it caused. I am never shy about being invited into any one's home or any restaurant anywhere because I am armed with good table manners. And I am never intimidated by more than four pieces of silverware at a place setting!! Your peeps will be thankful one day. They may never tell you but they will be!!
Denise
This is so funny. I am doing good to keep my boys from putting their feet on the table, well they are still 2 and 3 though. I remember in college my sorority had some classes on proper dinner protocol and we all enjoyed it. I may need a copy of that book. Piece out! HA!
Post a Comment