Why is it bad manners to put your elbows on the table?

Answer 1

There's probabley some ages old reason why you shouldn't put your elbows on the table while eating. It may have something to do with the clothes people used to wear back in the old old days. Sleeves were full and long, if they were dirtied it wasn't a case of just throw them in a washing machine. Also clothes were made of heavy rich materials, very expensive compared with our cheap cottons and nylons of these days. The way I was taught was that you just don't do it. No reason given. Do as you're told! But I don't see anything really wrong with it and never enforced it on my child while she was growing up. I don't see why, after the meal is finished you shouldn't be able to relax while you are having your after meal conversation.

Answer 2

Yes, putting your elbows on the table is horrible manners because it's a sign of laziness and it gives the impression that you're bored with the company at the table. Elbows ALWAYS off the table, regardless.

Answer 3

Glad you asked! I don't think it is bad manners when you are looking across to your dinner partner and chatting. I think it could be bad manners when the food is on the table. But it is difficult to eat with elbows on the table. I've been to restaurants and have seen one person sitting in a booth with both arms spread out like he was going to "take off" if he flapped them.
I may pick up a piece of bread with the other hand, but normally I try to eat like a human, instead of an animal.

Answer 4

It is only bad manners because if your elbows are on the table you are not eatting the food. So it is more of an insult to the cook then bad manners.

Answer 5

It probably goes back to Victorian times. For instance have you ever been told not to use your table knife to cut your salad? That was because salad dressings contain egg which will tarnish sterling silver. In the days when flatware was all silver this made sense but today the knife blades are made of stainless steel so the old rule is archaic. Back in the days when hostesses covered their tables with fine linen and lace, elbows with their accompanying body oils would leave a stain on the costly fabric. At least that's my theory.

Answer 6

Because it's comfortable! Incase you haven't noticed, ALL of the etiquette rules make you uncomfortable, cause it's polite to be uncomfortable. If you want to be the most polite person at the table, you could start by placing a tack on your seat, or be more extreme and sit on some of those "severe tire damage" spikes (Super heated of course) and wear garments made entirely from fiberglass insulation and angry hornets, wear a raddle snake as a tie and a flaming stingrey as a bib. Soak your feet in a tub of Hydrocloric acid, eat with a double edged razor, and use an under-fed camel spider as a napkin. You will be the envy of all of the snooty people at your table!

Answer 7

In general,society tells us a set of rules for just about everything,however on this topic,it's basically how you were raised.I was taught table manner's,however,one of them was i could either choose to put my elbow's on the table or i didnt have to.Unless your eating with royalty,it really doesnt matter.Even if i was eating with royalty,i'd still put my elbow's up on the table.I'm going to be ME!

Answer 8

I think it had to do with crusty elbows or something and lack of good/modern hygiene back in the day...

We have body scrubs for that sort of thing now! But really, it had something to do with not having stable tables during the Middle Ages and the likeliness of tipping the table over. Seriously...

Answer 9

Unless cutting your meat etc;elbows on the table is considered rude.Keep both of your forearms on the table with your elbows hanging out.

Answer 10

A good question that my husband and I were discussing just last night! I think it is stupid and I don't care if my son put their elbows on the table as long as they don't eat w/their hands----in public!