Chivalry Isn't Dead- Lesson #1: Table Etiquette

     Chivalry: Many people define this word as a lost art of "Leave it To Beaver's" attempting to court a young lady in the 1950's. Many others believe that chivalry is a middle age style that only knights of the round table sweated out of their dragon slaylin', damsel savin', chain mail wearin' pours. A code of conduct you might call it. Men and women alike think chivalry is an entity of long ago that their grandparents considered to be a necessity.
     Well I'm here to tell you Chivalry Isn't Dead. Here are some lessons that bring back an aged skill of treating a dame like lady and transforming a regular guy into a proper gentleman.
   

     Lesson #1: Table Etiquette

     I thought it was only fitting to start with something so simple yet tons of men fall short of how they should present themselves at a restaurant in the presence of a woman or even their best guy friends. Why is table etiquette so important? To be a gentleman you must first, act like said gent. No one on God's green earth needs to see you eating with your hands and telling your boys how smashed you got last night while at the dinner table.

     Let's get down to nitty-gritty... here are a few, let me say that again a few things that will dazzle your in-laws, make your wife/girlfriend feel like an all-star, and intrigue the manliest of men at the dinner table.
     Some of the points given would only be used at a classy place. Use your best judgment on what is considered to be a classy place.

•      Open the restaurant, cafe', bistro, pizzeria, pub etc. etc. door for your guest letting them enter first. 

•      Hats should be taken off your head prior to entering the building. If you forget they must be off before sitting down at the table. We are not at your favorite baseball game! Nobody really needs to know you're a Yankee's fan. Exception: Going to a bar and your soul purpose is to watch the game.  

•      Always pull out chairs for ladies. This is really old school, but it shows again you want to put them before yourself. 

•      If you're meeting someone at a restaurant and have been seated prior to your guest arrival it should be common courtesy to stand and greet them when they arrive.

•      Within the first minutes of sitting down place your napkin in your lap.

•      Do not tuck the napkin or table cloth in your shirt like a bib. We are not two.

•      Never put your elbows on the table. 

•      Put your phone on silent or if you are expecting an important call keep it on vibrate.

•      Do not answer your phone at the table. 

•      Always ask to be excused if you need to leave the table. ie.( take a call, use the restroom, leave, etc.)

•      Always try to eat with the correct utensils. If you are unsure about what to use move from outside to in. 

•      Bring the food to your mouth not your mouth to your food. Nobody needs to see you bent over your food like a neanderthal that hasn't eaten in days or like Ralphie's little pig brother from the Christmas Story, smashing his face into mashed potatoes.

•      Cut food prior to eating it. Don't try and stick an entire hot dog down your throat like Kobayashi. It's not a competition. 

•      Remember to use both a spoon and fork while eating pastas.   

•      Slurping is unnecessary. The chef does not need to hear you in the kitchen. 

•      Keep the alcoholic drinks to a minimum. No need to get sloshed at a classy restaurant.

•      Don't have unprofessional conversations at the table. This might sound like a no-brainer but next thing you know you've had one to many and you're talking about one night stands and bowel movements. 

•      Place silverware in correct position on plate once you have finished. Here are three examples on how to do so.