Bill Nye and Boomerang: Or, The Tale of a Meek-Eyed Mule, and Some Other Literary GemsNye, Bill
General
Bill Nye and Boomerang: Or, The Tale of a Meek-Eyed Mule, and Some Other Literary Gems
Nye, Bill
American wit and humor
"Second--If one has anything in his mouth, or gets any foreign substance
like a piece of bone or a seed in his mouth, how should he remove it,
and what is the proper thing to do with it?
"Third--Would you kindly add a few general rules of table etiquette,
which would be useful to the many admirers of your classic style?"
Answer--It would be hazardous for a gentleman unaccustomed to asking
grace at the table to attempt it, unless he be a naturally fluent
extemporeaneous speaker.
It is more difficult for one unacquainted with it, than to address
a Sabbath school, or write a letter accepting the nomination for
President.
It is, therefore, preferable to say in a few terse remarks that you are
profoundly grateful for the high compliment, but that your health will
not admit of its acceptance.
Second--Care should be used while at table not to get large foreign
substances like hair-pins, soup-bones, or clothespins into the mouth
with food, as it naturally requires some little _sang froid_ and tact to
remove them. One accustomed to the mysteries of parlor-magic may slide
the articles into his sleeve while coughing, and thence into the coat
pocket of his host, thus easily getting himself out of an unpleasant
situation, and at the same time producing roars of laughter at the
expense of the host.
If, however, you are not familiar with sleight of hand, you may take in
a full breath, and expel the object across the room under the whatnot,
where it will not be discovered until you have gone away.
I will add a few general rules for table etiquette, which I have learned
by actual experience to be of untold benefit to the active society man.
First--It is proper to take the last of anything on the plate if it
comes to you, instead of declining it. It is supposed that there is more
in the house, or if not, the host may go down town and get some. Do not,
therefore, decline anything because it is the last on the dish, unless
it looks as though it wouldn't suit you.
Second--If by mistake you get your spoon in the gravy so far that the
handle is more or less sticky, do not get ill-tempered or show your
displeasure, but draw it through your mouth two or three times, laughing
a merry laugh all the time. Do not attempt to polish it off with your
handkerchief. It might spoil your handkerchief.
Third--In drinking wine at table do not hang your eyes out on your
cheek, or drink too fast and get it up your nose.
Do not drain your glass perfectly dry and then try to draw in what
atmosphere there is in the room. This is not only vulgar, but it tends
to cast large chunks of three-cornered gloom over the guests.
When you have drained your glass, do not bang it violently on the table
and ask your host "how much he is out." This gives too much of the
air of wild, unfettered freedom, and the unrestrained hilarity of the
free-lunch.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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