Just how are you supposed to behave at the pedestal dinner table? Many people take family dinners for granted and act freely as if they were the only one there because they are already so comfortable with fellow family members. However, what they need to know is that a certain etiquette must still be followed when dining with the family. This makes for a more comfortable and fun dinner ’round the table with the most important people in your life.

Dinner Table Etiquette for the Family

Never air out your family member’s dirty laundry at the dinner table

No matter how much you are itching to bring up a particularly sensitive topic regarding a family member, the table and other dining furniture is not the proper venue for it. Issues that concern only one family member are not meant to be discussed at the dinner table, as mealtime is a time for families to bond, and not to wage war against each other. Learn to choose which topics are appropriate for the dinner table.

Make the mealtime sharing time

While the dinner table is not the place to air out others’ dirty laundry, it is a place where families can have positive and meaningful conversations. If you have something to share about what happened to you during the day, feel free to add to the conversation as your family will appreciate your openness and eagerness to share.

“Please” and “thank you” are still in season

There will never be an occasion that will not have a place for these two magical phrases. Always remember that courtesy and politeness reign supreme at the dinner table, no matter who you are eating with. Even saying these two words for simple things such as passing the peas or the potatoes will go a long way with the person you say it to.

Never act too boisterously or speak too loudly

When everyone is gathered around the dinner table, chances are you will all be within hearing distance of one another—so there is really no need to raise your voice unnecessarily.

Don’t finish up a dish—unless everyone has had their share of it

It’s fine to scrape up the last few bits and pieces of a dish, but only if everyone has had a chance to sample it. Always be kind enough to ask whether or not anyone still wants a piece before taking all of it for yourself. If someone pipes up and says that he or she still wants some, give him or her a portion before getting the rest for yourself.

Pay your compliments to the chef

Make sure you acknowledge the person who cooked the meal. Pay him or her a positive compliment, and he or she will appreciate your thoughts. The cook always loves it when people appreciate the meal he or she has made, so make sure that you give credit where credit is due.

Never leave in the middle of mealtime

Avoid being distracted by ringing mobile phones in the middle of the meal as this can get in the way of awesome dinner conversations. Also, wait until everyone else has finished their meals before leaving the pedestal table—unless, of course, there is an emergency that you need to attend to urgently.