There are six children in my family, ages 2 to 11, and for this reason, Sunday lunch hasn’t been peaceful for a long time. Over appetizers, paella, red wine (for the adults only), fruit and dessert, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles take turns repeating once and again los modales en la mesa (the table manners) to the children. Although they may vary from one household to another, the following reglas (rules) could apply to most Spanish tables. Note the imperative (command) form is used in these rules.
1 Espera a que estén todos sentados para empezar a comer: Wait until everybody is sitting down before starting to eat.
2 No digas ¡Que aproveche!: Don’t say ¡Bon appetit!
3 Ponte la servilleta en la falda: Put your napkin on the lap.
4 No apoyes los codos en la mesa: Don’t put the elbows on the table.
5 No toques la comida con las manos: Don’t touch the food with your hands.
6 No hables con la boca llena: Don’t speak with a full mouth.
7 No hagas ruidos al comer: Don’t make noises while eating.
8 No uses palillos (mondadientes): Don’t use toothpicks.
9 Al acabar, deja los cubiertos en paralelo sobre el plato: When you finish, leave the cutlery in parallel over the plate.
10 No te levantes hasta que la comida termine: Don’t stand up until the meal is finished.
Number 10 is usually a controversial norm (norm). It’s very difficult to make children stay at the table when they’re done eating, and sometimes the adults end up arguing for this reason. On a bad day, we get rid of the children as soon as we can without appearing too lenient, on a good day, we make them stay until dessert is finished and coffee for the adults arrives. Then, we can relax.
Did you notice the different imperative forms above? We often use imperatives with rules, such as “No hables con la boca llena.” Did you notice how we make imperatives with reflexive verbs like ponerse and levantarse in the negative and the positive?
Ponte la servilleta en la falda.
No te levantes hasta que la comida termine.
Feel free to post any questions you have on the LL Spanish forum.