Table Manners

My Mom always told me to sit up straight, chew with my mouth closed, and use one hand for eating and put the other in my lap. She also insisted that I was to put food on my plate and eat it from my plate, not from the bowl that everyone would serve themselves from. Well, after years of practicing proper etiquette...I find myself having to do the opposite.

First, it is rude, in Chile, to put your hands on your lap at the dinner table. Your hands have to remain in sight where everyone can see them. However, remember, your elbows still need to stay off the table.

Second, it is very common, in the house, to eat directly from the bowl instead of putting everything on your plate.

You will never find a toothpick on a table in Chile because it is rude to use a toothpick at the table or in public.

To belch at the table in some cultures is rude and in others it is a compliment to the chef, but it seems to me that to belch at the table is simply not appreciated in Chile. I haven´t really tried it yet, nor do I want to because it is disgusting in my book, right up there with chewing with your mouth open (my biggest pet peeve).

Like at home, if you are going to leave them table, you excuse yourself. Permiso.