If you have ever been a guest in someone else’s home, your mother has certainly advised you to use your manners or be polite. While being well mannered may seem like a chore to some, the acts of being courteous and kind to all seems to become a more and more distant idea in our modern world. We may be venturing further and further away from the days of hoop skirts and afternoon tea, but that does not mean we should forget our manners. Sophomore Julia Robison said, “It is important to thank your host at any event because they have invited you into their home and you should be respectful.”

 Most of us are probably a bit familiar with the basic table manners such as saying please and thank you, knowing when to use a fork and knife, or not placing your elbows on the table. However, most of us are unfamiliar with some less widely known, yet very important mannerisms, that you should keep in mind when you are a guest in someone else’s home. A good guest is always quick to graciously respond to an invitation and sends out a detailed and sincere thank you note to the hostess following an event. Whenever you attend a social event, you should always bring a gift for the hostess. It does not have to be anything too extravagant; just bring a small treat for the hostess as a symbol of your gratitude. You should also always offer the host a helping hand in the kitchen as a way of showing your appreciation for being invited.

 When dining out or dining at someone else’s home, it is very important to mind your manners at the table. Certainly most of us know to place our napkins on our laps, turn our phones off, avoid talking with food in our mouths, and wait until everyone at the table has been served to eat our meals. However, most of us are still unfamiliar with some of the most important table manners to have. Perhaps one of the most forgotten courtesies to have at the table is to never salt or season any of your food prior to tasting it. If you were to do this prior to taking a bite, you are at risk of insulting your host. You should also never cut up all of your food at once, you should instead cut your food one or two bites at a time. If your food is too hot, you should not blow on it to cool it down; this is considered very impolite. You instead should simply wait for the dish to cool down before digging in.

 Once you finish your meal, you should fold your napkin and place it to the left of your plate to signal you have finished eating. After the conclusion of the meal, you should offer assistance in cleaning up and not linger too long before saying your goodbyes. Upon leaving, you should always thank your host and let them know that you have enjoyed your meal, but you should never voice your opinion if you did not like what was being served. Make sure to mind your manners and keep these etiquette tips in mind the next time you are welcomed into someone else’s home in order to be remembered as a grateful, well mannered guest.