ARMY TABLE MANNERS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15747, 14 November 1916, Page 5

ARMY TABLE MANNERS.

It is proposed that officers should instruct their companies in table manners, and a "Regiment" humorist gives the following hints: —How to Take Tea. —It should not be lapped or sucked out of the tea-can, but must be poured into a cup or basin. How the men are going to get on who have one basin between six of them will have to be sottied by our mathematical expert at the War Office. The practice of stirring up the condensed milk with a regimental cane is not one to lie encouraged, ."but the digit finger is not a good substitute. Tea is for drinking purposes, according to the diet sheet and the master cook; it must not, therefore, be used as shaving water. In lifting the basin towards the lips, it is advisable to keep the elbow as close to the side as possible. This mav be practised by sitting four abreast on the six feet soldiers' wooden form while at the table. How to Eat Bread. —To commence with "Chuck us over the roote.y!" is no longer good form. Third-class certificates have done their work, and now it is, "If you have a spare moment, could I venture to trouble you so much as to ask you kindly pass over to me the crusty product of ground cereals?" Tearing the crust off is not permissible (especially if it is another man who is guilty of doing so), and using the thumb to spread butter is a custom which is absolutely dead.