The following are rules George Washington placed before himself at the age of 14 years. Determined to the best, Washington learned lessons of etiquette from family, teachers, and books. These are 5 simple rules of table manners from his 110 rules on civility and decent behavior.
“Good manners and kindness are always in fashion.“
Anonymous
As a young girl, I loved attending Senatorial events with my dad. All through middle school and high school, I had the honor of joining my dad at political conferences, dinners, speaking events, and political rallies. Every event brought different excitements and challenges to the table. Especially, the grand Lincoln Day Dinners with presidential speakers.
Thankfully, my mom provided proper instructions in etiquette since the moment I could eat on my own. Additionally, there were punishments when my etiquette was not to their standard.
There is a fabulous picture of me in tears sitting next to our sweet black lab, Cleo. Onery little Olivia had been refusing to eat and scratching the table with a fork!! My poor mom must have been so dishearted with the destruction of her beautiful table! Consequently, I ate my remaining dinner with the dog on the floor. I’m so thankful my parents instilled in me proper etiquette and proper table manners.
Funny stories aside, civil discipline truly elevates the soul. We have lost the art of civility and it is time we bring it back!
The Lie of Being Busy
One easy argument is etiquette and table manners are outdated. Another is the lie of being busy. Modern-day society loves the excuss of busyness to get out of any responsibility of disciplining the soul. May I kindly remind us all, George Washington was incredibly busy! He was fighting for our freedom and fathering a new nation! The following is a condensed list of his accomplishments.
- Washington perfected the art of surveying at 17 years old.
- In his early 20s, he traveled 1,000s of miles to deliver letters to French generals before the outbreak of the French and Indian War.
- As he bravely fought alongside General Braddock in the French and Indian War, Washington elevated through the ranks of the British Army.
- During the French and Indian War, Washington fought in the Battle of Jumonville Glen, The Battle of Fort Necessity, Braddock’s Expedition, the Battle of Monogahela, and the Forbes Expedition.
- After the French and Indian War, Washington served as a Member of the Virginia House of Burgesses.
- In 1774, he served as a delegate from Virginia in the First Continental Congress.
- During the Second Continental Congress in 1775, he again served as a delegate from Virginia.
- In 1775, Washington was appointed as head of the Continental Army.
- Thus, he oversaw every campaign and every battle from 1775-1783.
- After the creation of the United States Constitution, the United States unanimously elected George Washington as the 1st President of the United States.
I digress! It’s very clear, George Washington was much busier than anyone I have ever met. All while, he practiced beautiful etiquette and respect while dining! It’s poetic!
The following are again written at the age of 14 in a small book he titled, Rules of Civility & Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation.
1. Emulate Your Hostess
“It belongs to the chiefest in company to unfold his napkin and fall to meat first, but he ought then to begin in time & to dispatch with dexterity that the slowest may have time allowed him.”
George Washington, age 14.
Emulate your hostess. Pay close attention to your host to see when to unfold your napkin. When the hostess places her napkin on her lap, the entire table may follow suit. The hostess is responsible for encouraging proper table manners.
2. Respectfully Serve Others First
“Entertaining anyone at the table it is decent to present him with meat.”
George Washington, age 14
While entertaining, everyone at the table should be presented with each dish. Wait for the hostess to begin serving. It is furthermore proper etiquette to wait until everyone is served to eat.
3. Sit Up Straight and Use the Napkin
“It is unbecoming to stoop too much to one’s meat. Keep your fingers clean & when foul, wipe them on a corner of your table napkin.”
George Washington, age 14.
Avoid slouching or turning into the Hunchback of Notre Dame. Additionally, when leaving the table during dinner, place the table napkin in your chair. Do not place the napkin on the table. Upon your return, place the napkin back on your lap.
4. Chew Completly and Take Small Bites
“Put not another bit into your mouth till the former be swallowed. Let not your morsels be too big.”
George Washington, age 14
Be careful to NEVER stuff your mouth. Carefully take small bites. It is never proper table manners to shovel food into your mouth.
Chewing one’s food before more consumption is not only proper but scientifically necessary for our digestive system. The Good Lord gave his creation of teeth and saliva for the desired purpose of using them! There are countless opinions floating around of how long to chew each bit ranging from 20-40. Regardless, they all point toward swallowing only after the food has lost the original texture and is more liquified. This will ensure your gut has the time and ability for proper digestion.
5. Keep Your Mouth Closed
“Drink not, nor talk with your mouth full; neither gaze about you while you are drinking.”
George Washington, age 14.
Again keep your mouth closed and be careful to swallow before entering into conversation. It’s just plain gross to see food in the mouth while talking to people. Politely swallow before answer questions or beginning a conversation.
Manners are incredible tools capable of elevating the conversation and elevating the soul. Politeness and respect go a long way.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas perfectly summarize his view of manners in the following quote.
“Good manners will open doors that the best education cannot.”
Clarence Thomas
In fact, George Washington did not have an incredible education. He was primarily a self-taught man. In his humility, he often believed he was not comparable to other scholars of his time. Little did he know, his posterity would be every American citizen, and they would also call him the Father of America! The grand hero, George Washington, began as a simple boy dedicated to his pursuit of goodness.
May we all learn a lesson in table manners from the 1st President of the United States of America! Learn more lessons from 14-year-old George Washington.
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