Elbows off the table...wtf?

For many years I've been told by people (other than my parents) not to put my elbows on the dinner table.

Am I missing something? How does a persons elbows have anything to do with manners?

Anyone here grow up in a home where table manners like these were rigorously enforced? And can anyone tell me the purpose for this rule?

haha not really rigorously but i always think the same thing when they tell me that, who thought that was polite

I don't know, I could see it may disrupt the people sitting next to you. Like you were invading their table privacy space or something.

But yeah, the 'gesture' makes no sense at all.

"I don't know, I could see it may disrupt the people sitting next to you. Like you were invading their table privacy space or something.

But yeah, the 'gesture' makes no sense at all."

Its some old time BS. We live in the year 2008, people! I would have thought we'd grow out of elbows on the table by now.

I think the next step from putting your elbows on the table is to put your face in your hands.

Hence showing boredom.

comes from a time when there weren't enough tables for everyone to have their own.

yeah stupid rule: its 08 nobody cares about that nemore.

I only think excusing yourself and not eating like a slob should be done.

"I think the next step from putting your elbows on the table is to put your face in your hands.

Hence showing boredom."

I also don't understand the rule, but I was also taught it. What people should really concentrate on is chewing with their mouth closed.

I was never forced to keep my elbows off. Seems like a dumb thing. Just keep your freaking mouth closed when you chew and I'm happy.

yea I hate that stupid rule,too

me. but in france it's elbows ON the table and inspain it's one elbow on the table 0_o


still  don't see what' stupid about it. the table is for the food not leaning on

When we put our elbows on the table, the elbow mechanism position in combination with the shape of the table activates the sayings of a prophecy talking about an ancient Egyptian curse, which spreads around numerous poisonous forms of protons that can't be seen by eye, and then these forms of protons infect the nearby food with a zombie-virus. If you eat that, you'll turn into a blood-hungry zombie!

Or epic fail ensues.

I always found it awkward not to easy with my elbows on the table...

I don't know. My parents say that to me... and then I lean as far on the table as possible spreading my elbows everywhere.