The prom and wedding season is upon us.  This is a good time to prep your teen on various table manners for these occasions so they will not be embarrassed or feel awkward. 

With my teen being homeschooled during the Middle School years, he is missing some interactions with his peers in a variety of social settings.  I wanted to teach him basic etiquette for dining purposes.  Tiffany's Table Manners For Teenagers was suggested to me on twitter.

The author is the former Chairman of Tiffany & Co.  This is a great little book, consisting of ninety-five pages that covers all the details in a step-by-step guide with black and white illustrations from a fashion illustrator.  I like how the illustrations focus on the task for each page.  These do not detract from the text and give a simple glimpse of how to achieve each table manner with wit and style. 

The chapters covered:

• Let's Be Seated
• The Soup Course
• The Fish Course
• The Meat Course
• The Salad Course
• The Dessert Course
• Some Don'ts...

Some of the content in Tiffany's Table Manners for Teenagers is common sense, but could easily be overlooked in this day and age.  Those on the autism spectrum need to be taught social nuances.  I found this book to be perfectly suited for this lesson. 

Recently President Obama and Mrs. Obama met with the Queen of England at Buckingham Palace.  The media was buzzing about etiquette and manners.  There is a protocol to follow when in the presence of the Queen.  Even the President needed a refresher course in table manners for the visit. 

Your teen will be ready for any family wedding rehearsal dinner by perusing Tiffany's Table Manners For Teenagers.  The book starts off with lining up of all the silverware showing a few different methods.  There are some amusing illustrations that point out what not to do - like putting a napkin around your neck instead of on your lap.  There is also a picture of someone leaning back in their chair while chewing food.  Another amusing illustration has someone using a fork in one hand while trying to drink water with the other hand.. 

Teens will learn where to put each utensil on the plate after they have finished eating and the various ways that soup can be consumed.  It is mentioned that for lunch soup can be served in a cup and picked uo to drink. 

While the book does not address common foods for the current era, it is a refreshing look at the basics of table manners without distracting photos or images.  Learning what to do if you spill water on the table or in the lap of another guest.  The correct way to eat a piece of chicken - they do mention you can pick it up if at a picnic, also covered is corn on the cob and not to leave a spoon inside a coffee cup.   

My son enjoyed reading through Tiffany's Table Manners For Teenagers and got a kick out of the funny ways the message was delivered through text and illustrations. 

Some samples:

"A small amount of potatoes and vegetables may be placed on the prongs of the fork with the meat"

"Asparagus is eaten with the fingers, unless stalks are too long."

"Each time you take a mouthful, lean over your plate.  If anything drops, it will fall on the plate and not on your clothes." 

"Don't push a plate away from you when you are through.  Leave it where it is with the silverware properly placed." 

We found this to be a fun read and worth the jump on home economics that might be covered in High School.

Pre Prom Dinner Party

Prom Dinner

Bonnie is a freelance writer/editor that has many Autism Family Adventures and writes about Autism Spectrum Disorders