can't find a valid excuse.
2006-11-14 01:08:17 · 16 answers · asked by mr_moof 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
It is now more tradition but here are two reasons
The great houses and castles of England during the middle ages did not have dining tables in the great halls, so tables were made from trestles and covered with a cloth. The diners sat along one side only; if they put their elbows on the table and leant too heavily, the table could collapse.
When you eat with your elbows on the table, your upper spine is bent forward, your ribs are pushed inwards and - most importantly - your stomach is squeezed between the two. It's incredibly bad for your digestion.
2006-11-14 01:10:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 11⤊ 0⤋
You CAN have your elbows on the table. It's totally legal. That's the beauty of it.
It's an ediqutte that serves no purpose. So... junk it.
Someone PLEASE tell me WHYYYYYYYYYYYYY it is disrepsectful. Give me that at least. What does this action represent that is so bad? Tell me! See... There is no reason but tradition, which needs to be broken because its discrimanatory...and for what?!
Stand for what you believe, dont make big issues out of small ones, let the little stuff go, and learn to make a difference where it REALLY counts. Have you spent time with your children latey? Have you stopped with your porn obsessions? Are you contributing to your marriage the way a man and woman should? Are you a victim of being "fake" to fit in?
As some of you are saying... People can get upset or offended if they really want to make a big deal about your elbows on the table. Then the issue becomes THIER problem for taking it too far... over NOTHING. JUST like some here are taking this too far.
If people want to judge you on that one little detail than they need to remember that no man is above another.
**ADDED:
One guy says... "Does it look like you are listening to people, that you are engaged in what they are saying? No, it is a body posture sign that you don't care about the other people at the table."
AHAHHAHAHA! How does that show that I don't care exactly? By your elbows being up on he table? Well next time I want to flip off a crazy driver who cut me off, I'm going to put my elbow on the dashboard. That will teach him!!! LOL. What would show that I don't care would be my hands cupped over my ears. OR while the person is talking I never look at them in the eye. If your sitting there right now reading this response with both elbows on the desktop, I would BE FURIOUS! That's disrespectful to me! HAHA. See how silly that sounds?! As long as your making eye contact I think your ok.
2006-11-14 01:20:09 · answer #2 · answered by Joshua4F1 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if your looking for a valid excuse you probably wont find it here.
the best excuse i can think of is: when your elbows are on the table your posture is not straight and you tend to use your hands to touch your face with and it might spread germs.
i don't really know but its all that i can think of.
maybe it just was used as an insult back in the day.
2006-11-14 01:13:40 · answer #3 · answered by special 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Etiquette is all about showing respect to other people around you. That is what being a gentlemen is, making sure others in the room are comfortable. If you are bent over, elbows on the table, take a look at your self and consider your body posture. Does it look like you are listening to people, that you are engaged in what they are saying? No, it is a body posture sign that you don't care about the other people at the table. That is rude.
B
2006-11-14 02:19:55 · answer #4 · answered by Bacchus 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because i guess a long time ago it was dis respectable, When people ate they sat up stright and never spoke and all proper. So now a days it's just a part of life you know like how people say if you dont wear your jacket out side you are going to catch a cold.. well it's not true but it keep's the kids warm eh
2006-11-14 01:11:35 · answer #5 · answered by typhaniee0027 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
wow, see the answer makes me know why some of the restaurant nail their table to the floor......
well, at least by not putting your elbow to the table saves 5 inch to the side, for some body else to fit in.......
and yes it is saves your elbow from un necesarry mark afterward too
2006-11-14 02:59:18 · answer #6 · answered by Henry W 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's impolite and a valid excuse is, with your elbows on the table, you can biff everything near them onto the floor!!!
2006-11-14 01:17:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
My grandmother used to say that we couldn't put our elbows on the table, because they were dirty....
This coming from the same woman that wrapped her teeth in a napkin to eat mashed potatoes..
2006-11-14 06:19:39 · answer #8 · answered by Jennifer F 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a rather antiquated rule of etiquette, and some people say that in more informal settings should not be against the rules. I know that it does make you much more likely to be sloppy.
Remember the "rules" also indicate that you should keep your left hand in your lap, while using the right hand to eat. Probably vestiges of rudimentary hygiene before modern civilization.
2006-11-14 01:12:58 · answer #9 · answered by finaldx 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because our mothers said we couldn't. No valid excuse exist.
2006-11-14 03:15:10 · answer #10 · answered by P-Nut 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋