I was always a girly girl, so when I was little I liked everything just so. I was a big bookworm and I used to read one of my moms books that had the proper tablesetting and a basic thing on table manners.
I think most of it was just learned through modeling though. I wouldn't say following those rules or eating with fancy silverware made dinners at my house growing up any less fun. (Maybe made for more dishwashing!) We still laughed and joked and had a good time. I think because of the modeling, I've never really had to spell much out for DD. I think I told her when she was around 3 that her napkin goes in her lap and we do it so she does it. Same thing with how to butter a roll. She wants to do what we do or just accepts it at face value as the way to do things.
I also went to a fancy college, and one of my roommates there was actually related to Emily Post. She helped me smooth out some rough edges (specifically remember her teaching me how to eat salmon!) and everything I learned hanging out with her was invaluable. She was, by the way, the burpiest, fartiest girl in general but she definitely could turn that part of herself on and off.
It's definitely been very helpful to me in my career. I do a lot of business socializing and I think having a firm grounding in table manners lets you relax and enjoy the socializing part without worrying.
I think most of it was just learned through modeling though. I wouldn't say following those rules or eating with fancy silverware made dinners at my house growing up any less fun. (Maybe made for more dishwashing!) We still laughed and joked and had a good time. I think because of the modeling, I've never really had to spell much out for DD. I think I told her when she was around 3 that her napkin goes in her lap and we do it so she does it. Same thing with how to butter a roll. She wants to do what we do or just accepts it at face value as the way to do things.
I also went to a fancy college, and one of my roommates there was actually related to Emily Post. She helped me smooth out some rough edges (specifically remember her teaching me how to eat salmon!) and everything I learned hanging out with her was invaluable. She was, by the way, the burpiest, fartiest girl in general but she definitely could turn that part of herself on and off.
It's definitely been very helpful to me in my career. I do a lot of business socializing and I think having a firm grounding in table manners lets you relax and enjoy the socializing part without worrying.
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