Are elbows rude on *dining tables* only.. or ANY tables?

Question

what about like at a conference table in a meeting? What about at the dining table, but not eating a meal, just afternoon snack or dessert? BTW, are your elbows on the table when typing?

Answer 1

I'd say they are certainly rude on any table that may come in contact with food. However, the origin of this rule (I think) is for ANY table, as you do not want to expose your underarms to people you are conversing with.

However, these rules may have come about when people's hygiene habits were different. Now people shower at least once per day and use all sorts of things to present themselves in a nicer way. So the occasional elbow touching a table might not be that bad. Especially if it just rests on the edge.

But in general, avoid elbows on any table.

Answer 2

Posture: "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. I wish my parents had understood that. If they'd explained it, I might have taken some notice - and my digestive system would work so much better than it does today."

And poor posture generally lines up with what looks like laziness, which we might interpret as "rudeness" sometimes.

Found this and a few other ideas at the following link

Answer 3

Only at dining tables