Anyone else's DH/DP eat like a pig? How do you teach the DC proper table manners?

[LovelyBertha]

My DH really has no idea about decent table manners. I'm not pretending mine are impeccable, but I'd say they are pretty good. I don't believe it is his fault, as his family are all worse than he is (probably because they haven't been subject to 10 years of nagging from me). Christmas dinner round the PIL is like a bunch of pigs around a trough. DH didn't even know, until I told him, that you are supposed to put your knife and fork together when you've finished eating.

In a nutshell, what I'm saying is that his disgusting table manners are his parents fault. I am very anxious that history doesn't repeat itself.

So, any ideas on how I go about instructing our DC about table manners without using DH as an example of how not to do it, as they are bound to eventually notice that he doesn't do what I tell them to do.

It drives me mad too, dp isnt that bad but could be better. He reads at the table, berps, farts and uses a piece of bread to mop up his gravy - ugggg!Noadvice - just sympathy!

It's a difficult one.

Could you enlist your DCs help to teach Daddy (in a nice way)? Get them to make a poster to remind everyone what is expected.

Also you could try not asking too much to start with. Putting your knife and fork together the proper thing to do but it doesn't really affect anyone if you don't. But eating with your mouth open, burping etc is unpleasant for other people.

So for things like the former, you could teach them that this is what is done and why but not keep on about it if they forget.

bump

My dc enjoy the book 'Mind your manners Ben Bunny', its very short and funny.