A high school student ambassador group through the Marion County High School with 29 participants was held at the Marion County Cooperative Extension Office. The lesson was presented by the Family and Consumer Science (FCS) Agent, using activities from the 4H Etiquette and Manners Day Camp Curriculum. These activities were focused on table etiquette/mealtime manners and table setting.

Table manners play a vital role in making a favorable impression. Manners are crucial for students learn for multiple occasions, such as being polite and respectful of the feelings, culture, and values of others to avoid behavior that might be considered rude. Table manners will also help an individual feel comfortable at special occasions, such as family celebrations, award banquets, weddings, or when a potential employer invites an individual to lunch or dinner.

The first activity completed during this lesson was a video showing the students the “dos and don’ts” of dining etiquette, such as chewing with the mouth closed instead of open. This activity let the students brainstorm what may or may not be appropriate at dining events. The second activity completed was learning how to complete a table setting. The FCS Agent provided the dinnerware, and the students were asked to place the dinnerware where they thought was the correct placing. After 5 minutes, the FCS Agent showed the students the actual correct placing for the dinnerware.

After the students attended the etiquette lesson, the results from completing a pre and post evaluation from the 4H Table Setting and Table Manners True/False Quiz showed there was a drastic increase in table etiquette, and the results are:

-76% of students learned to wait until everyone is seated at your table before you start to eat.

-79% of students learned when using flatware, the order usually follows from the outside in. In other words, the flatware furthest from the plate is used first.

-72% of students learned to not pass food in opposite directions to try to serve everyone faster.