1. Know That Good Manners Make Good Sense

At a backyard barbecue, dinner before the big dance, or your cousin Amy's wedding, people may make judgments about you by how you eat. To make a good impression, try this:

Learn mealtime manners by watching someone with good manners and copying what they do.

Wait for the host or hostess to tell you where to sit at a table.

Put your napkin on your lap.

Sit up straight.

Don't talk with your mouth full.

Wait until everyone at the table has been served before you begin eating.

When asking for something to be passed to you, say please and thank you.

Alert the host or hostess before you arrive if you have allergies. They will likely be glad to adjust the menu to make you feel welcome and comfortable.

Two young boys I know are allergic to peanuts. I have watched their mother carefully teach them to ask when they arrive at a birthday party, "Are there peanuts in the ice cream or the cake?" Those boys are learning early to be responsible for managing their own allergies.

When serving yourself, take small portions the first time at a buffet or the first time the food is passed around.

I know a senior missionary couple who invited two elders to eat breakfast with them. The senior sister cooked four times as much as usual for her and her husband. The first elder took all the eggs from the plate and said, "I hope these are for me." He should have taken a small amount and waited to be offered more.