Are table manners important?

A Guide to Table Manners

The answer is, yes table manners are important. Many people and much of our society have placed proper etiquette and table manners not just on a back burner, but completely off the stove! While we have all had experiences where our dinner is ruined by an unruly child in a restaurant, or a bachelorette party getting loud at the bar, I choose not to focus on the negatives here, rather some basic table manners.
For some this will be a refresher course, and for some the first time hearing these basic rules, no matter what, good manners never go out of style. With that in mind, here are a list of some basic table manners. 

1) Chew with your mouth closed. We should all know this; we have all heard this a million times. This is the simplest of all table manners.

2) Do not be overly loud at the dinner table. 

3) Do not take more than you can eat.

4) No playing at the table.

5) Soup is not a noisy food. Please no slurping!

6) Excuse yourself from the table before getting up.

7) No eating food with your fingers.

8) Sit up straight and no slouching.

9) Place your napkin on your lap and keep it there.

10) Please, Please no elbows on the table!!

.......and say Please and Thank You!!