There are certain rules, that cross over from everyday life, out, over into the dining room and that's just, you know, plain, simple, old fashioned, gold old fashioned manners. Say please and thank you. Remind your children that it's nice to always say please when you're asking that something be passed to them at the table and obviously, thank you once they've been served. And, teach them to always thank the cook whether it's you or a friend, or a waiter. Your time and effort has been put into whatever has been prepared for them. And it's important to teach your children to value other people's times and effort. So, just remind them it's always nice to say thank you. They should always say please, whether they're at the table or not, when they're asking for something. That's just sort of, you know, Etiquette 101. And, also when you're out dining, unless it's a buffet, teach your child to go ahead and wait till everybody is served. I know sometimes it's hard, depending on the child's age. And if they're very, very young, obviously, people are going to understand if your child feels the need to start eating before everybody is served. If somebody goes ahead and gives the okay, if somebody else's food is being delayed, then certainly there are exceptions, but as a rule, it's polite and nice, and certainly reasonable to wait until everybody's served before you start eating. Finally, and I think most importantly of all, is to teach your children how to respect the tradition of saying Grace. Whether you do it in your own home, or if you go to somewhere else for dinner, and they say Grace, teach your child that it's really important for them to be respectful of that. They're not to giggle or you know, kick their sibling or their friend under the table, or make noise. Just teach them to be quiet and respectful, and once Grace is said, then they can start eating. And, if you say Grace at your home, and it's something, tradition, that you would like to carry on, I would definitely encourage you to let your children have a go at it and maybe have somebody different say Grace every night, if that's how you like to do it in your home. I think it's a great way to teach children the value of it, and to teach them how to make it a habit, and carry on the tradition in their own home someday.
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