Table manners

[frenchtoast88]

Not sure if this actually falls under parenting since my issue is with DH but relates to how we'll teach our children.

My question: are table manners necessary? Things like using a knife and fork correctly (knife in right, fork in left), putting your knife and fork together when you're finished your meal, asking "please may I leave the table?".

One of us thinks yes they're good manners and will be teaching the children them. The other thinks not necessary and that putting your knife and fork together is an antiquated rule and signals to the servants that you're finished. We do not have servants, obviously.

Not too pressing a question as we have a baby and toddler so currently working on not dropping the spoon on the floor

I mean I think being polite is good. And putting your knife and fork together is useful at restaurants for waiters and for carrying plates.

But which had people put their knife and fork in is up to them and what works best for them.

I had a cousin who's mum constantly badgered and snipped and shouted about table manners. It was exhausting and ruined every meal! When the cousin grew up she stopped bothering anyway.

But yes they should know the basics to get by (mouth closed, no slurping, how to cut properly, cutlery together at the end, no licking the plate).