Is this still proper etiquette and what is the purpose of doing this?
2007-01-24 23:58:51 · 10 answers · asked by mutt 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
It shows laziness. Putting your elbows on the table helps support holding you up, but you are more than able to do it your self. I think its dumb for informal settings, but thats the reason.
2007-01-25 00:02:09 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's not good etiquette everywhere. For example: In France people should keep their elbows on the table because this pretty much insures that their hands will be above the table and not on the knees or thighs of the person sitting next to them.
Funny how etiquette "rule" come about, isn't it?
2007-01-25 00:09:58 · answer #2 · answered by jcboyle 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Here in Europe we hold our fork in the left hand, knife in the right even if there's no more cutting to do, we don't change the hand our fork is in... that way you're constantly using both hands and you can't really reach your plate with elbows on the table! When eating soup or in between dishes I guess it shows laziness needing to lean instead of sitting up straight, and also it can block the server (if there is one; nowadays only in restaurants but lots of etiquette started a long time ago & in the well-to-do families who likely had servants at home too).
2007-01-25 00:31:06 · answer #3 · answered by Sheriam 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a very old etiquette.
It all started hundreds of years ago when tables were built in a way that the leg of the table will be in the center, If you lean with your elbows you will end up flipping the table and dropping everything on the floor, nowadays ppl still follow these rules for different reasons as you see in other answers but this is how it started hundred of years ago.
2007-01-25 01:33:50 · answer #4 · answered by ghaloob 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is the proper manner. It makes you lean again the table. When you are sitting up right there is no way you can put your elbows on the table.
2007-01-25 00:07:17 · answer #5 · answered by Mickey22_jp 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not only does it show laziness but it also takes up more room at the table. If there are a lot of people at the table I would try to keep them off but if there is room and it is a causal setting I do not see a problem with it.
2007-01-25 00:05:23 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is proper to do so, I'm not too sure why except when I do it I find I have to sit up straight, have my upper body support its own weight and my tummy doesn't form into that sack you get when you're leaning forwards so I can't stuff as much in.
So I suppose its not such a bad thing after all.
2007-01-25 00:07:49 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I understand it to be a "space" question. If you move forward and put your elbows on the table, you are walling yourself in , and claiming more space at the table than is appropriate. Most of etiquette is based on politeness, and consideration of others.
2007-01-25 00:03:13 · answer #8 · answered by hasse_john 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
who cares. just make sure u follow this if ur at a friends house. In front of ur family it dont matter until u put ur feet on the table!
2007-01-25 00:02:40 · answer #9 · answered by emilyosmentfan 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
so you can be properly served by a waiter or waitress.
2007-01-25 00:04:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋