Justin had to learn table manners when we got married. His mom makes supper and his family all comes to get what they want off the stove and takes it and eats anywhere in the house. My family was totally different. We set the table with place-mates, plates, glasses, napkins, spoons, forks, and knives. Food was taken out of the pot and put into a bowl on the table. We always said a blessing before we ate anything. Napkins always go in your lap. Forks have to be held properly. No elbows on the table. We had to ask permission to leave the table. Hats are a big no-no too. Justin wears a hat and has to take it off before he sits down at my patents table. His parents on the other hand couldn't care less, anything goes.


A couple years ago Justin's parents had a lovely Thanksgiving dinner, they invited their english friends who had lived here for a couple years, but never had a thanksgiving dinner. The english family is very very proper. Justin's redneck grandparents from West Virginia also came for Thanksgiving that year. Wow was that a Thanksgiving to remember. Justin's grandma sat down next to the english woman. She (the grandma) took a bite of something and said "mmm, this is good", she turns to the english woman and said "did you get any of this?" She hadn't, so Justin's grandma put some more on her fork and shoved it into the english woman's mouth. We all sat there speechless (and embarrassed).