Walter Hoving - Tiffanys Table Manners for Teenagers

Copyright 1961, copyright renewed 1989 by Hoving Associates, Inc.
New foreward copyright 2011 by John Hoving

All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Random House Childrens Books, a division of Random House, Inc., New York.
Originally published in slightly different form in the United States by Ives Washburn, Inc., New York, in 1961, and subsequently published by Random House Childrens Books, New York, in 1987 and 1989.

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The Library of Congress has cataloged the previous edition of this work as follows:
Hoving, Walter. [Table manners for teenagers]
Tiffanys table manners for teenagers / [text by Walter Hoving, drawings by Joe Eula]. p. cm.
Originally published: Table manners for teenagers. New York: Washburn, 1961.
ISBN 978-0-394-82877-0 (trade)ISBN: 978-0-375-98308-5 (ebook)
1. Table etiquetteJuvenile literature.
I. Eula, Joe. II. Tiffany and Company. III. Title.
BJ2041.H68 1989 395.54dc19 88-23964

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v3.1

GOOD MANNERS are as important as good grooming and good behavior. Unfortunately, however, in this day of confused standards, manners are sometimes sadly neglected. This is especially true of table manners.

At Tiffanys our interest in attractive tables set with good china, glass, and silverware makes us equally aware of the importance of good table manners.

But manners must not be stilted, self-conscious, or artificial. Therefore, it is dangerous to have one system, or no system, for home consumption and another for dining out. This is apt to cause dinner-table insecurity later in life.

So, training in table manners must be started early enough to make them automatic. Consequently we submit herewith our version of good table manners. There are other systems, and we dont quarrel with them, but we think this system is attractive, graceful, and above all, natural.

WALTER HOVING

FIFTY YEARS AGO, after having lunch with me, my grandfather went home and wrote this book. To this day, Im not sure what I did to inspire it, but Ive always been very proud I played a role in its creation.

The year I was born he bought a struggling shop on Fifth Avenue. Using his intuitive knowledge that good design and a distinct point of view always translated to good business, he completely transformed Tiffany & Co. into a success story, and its blue box is recognized all over the world today.

Grandpa also gave Tiffany its direction and an authoritative voice that took positions and offered guidance, opinions, and lessons. His Tiffany newspaper ads defined good taste and design, and explored the meaning of the American goal, education, economics, and of course the need for good manners in everything we do.

He once said to me, Johnny, it takes a person just as much effort to have bad manners as it does to have good manners, so why dont you take the time to learn some good ones?

So I listened, and my manners must have improved, or Im sure he would have written a sequel to this for adults.

JOHN HOVING

It is customary for the young man to help the young lady on his right to be seated.

When you both have been seated, dont look around like a startled beetle. Turn directly to the young lady on your right and start talking.

First of all, lets get straight which fork or knife to use.

We like the method of placing the flat silver in the order of its use. You take the piece on the outside first.

Some people arrange the silver by size, so you have to learn to tell a fish knife from a meat knife and a fish fork from a meat fork. If there is no fish knife and fork, use the smaller knife and fork for the dish. If you make a mistake, just continue eating. Dont put the silver back on the table. Be nonchalant.

The place for the napkin is on the lap. Dont tie it around your neck or stick it in your belt.

The fish or meat will be served to you on your left side. Take the serving fork in your left hand and the serving spoon in your right, holding them as pictured above.

After you have served yourself, place the serving spoon and fork side by side on the platter.

Vegetables should also be placed on your plate. Side dishes, except for salads, are not used at home, only in restaurants.