Dining Guide / Seating & Posture
Posture at the Table
Sit up straight and bring the food to your mouth. While you’re eating, keep your elbows off the table.
Try what you’ve read in questions based on real dining situations. · 6 min
Practice: The Flow of a Meal
Key Points
- Sit upright, about one or two fists’ width from the table.
- Bring the food up to your mouth with your fork or spoon rather than lowering your head to the plate.
- Keep your elbows off the table while you eat. Resting your wrists or forearms lightly on the edge is fine in many places.
- Keeping both feet on the floor helps your upper body stay naturally upright.
Do
- Sit up straight
- Bring each bite all the way to your mouth
- Rest your wrists lightly on the table edge between bites
Avoid
- Hunching over your plate
- Leaning on your elbows while you eat
- Slouching back in your chair as you eat
Handy Tip
If you find yourself leaning toward the plate, the bite is too big. Smaller bites let you eat without breaking your posture.
Customs That Vary
In much of Europe, it’s polite to keep both hands visible above the table during the meal, with your wrists resting on the edge. In the US, people often rest the hand they aren’t using in their lap.
Practice in a Lesson
- The Flow of a Meal — 6 min · Practice in a Lesson
Read next
Sources
- Emily Post Institute, “Top Table Manners Tips” — Posture, napkins, utensils, soup and phones at the table.
- Debrett's, “Essential Table Manners” — Posture, shared dishes, inedible items and discreet refusals.