Unruly kids offered etiquette lessons as one in five families admits to being too embarrassed to eat in restaurants
As any family with young children can attest, once there are young children in tow, eating out at nice restaurants goes from being one of life's most exquisite pleasures to a stressful minefield.
Peaceful candlelit suppers deux become battlegrounds, as parents struggle to wrestle unruly children back into seats, keep elbows off tables and to chew with their mouths shut.
If all this sounds familiar, you are not alone. A survey of 2,000 people has revealed that one in five parents refuse to eat a meal in a restaurant because they are embarrassed by their children's behaviour.
The Kensington Hotel is to offer etiquette classes to parents too embarrassed by unruly children to eat out in restaurants
Nearly half (48 per cent) of UK parents admit to being embarrassed by their youngsters when dining out, while one in five have left a restaurant mid-way through a meal because of their children have been behaving badly.
Now, a London hotel has responded to parents' fears by launching etiquette classes for children, where unruly infants can learn how they should behave in a restaurant environment.
The Kensington Hotel has teamed up with etiquette and manners expert Jean Broke-Smith to run a series of classes for youngsters and to create a guide on 'Petite Etiquette' with some easy-to-learn tips.
The classes will focus on the main stumbling blocks parents have pinpointed as the most embarrassing, with saying please and thank you topping the list of table manners most valued by parents, followed by keeping the mouth closed when chewing and sitting still.
The Kensington Hotel ! will be hosting the one hour complimentary classes on 12 and 19 November to teach children aged between five and ten basic table manners.
Parents' top gripe is children not saying please and thank you, followed by eating with mouth open and not using knife and fork
Etiquette expert Jean Broke-Smith said: 'They say that manners maketh the man but I'm a great believer in the same being true for children as well. If you take time to teach your children table manners while at home, youll find dining out a much more pleasurable experience and can hopefully avoid those stressful confrontations.
'Whether you are keen to enjoy a decadent afternoon tea or a three course dinner, these tips will stand you in good stead and help your children to grow into polite adults.'
MANNERS CHILDREN STRUGGLE WITH MOST
1 Eating with mouth shut: 35%
2 Sitting still throughout meal: 34%
3 Keeping elbows off table: 22%
4 Using spoon/fork instead of fingers: 20%
5 Wanting to leave table because they are bored: 20%
Etiquette aside, the study revealed that restaurants too can also make life easier for families.
Almost half of the families quizzed said they would welcome the addition of smaller versions of adult main courses provided rather than a separate menu for children, while a third would like to see healthier meal options and child friendly cups as opposed to tall, glasses that are usually available.
General Manager for The Kensington Hotel, Garreth Walsh said: 'At The Kensington Hotel we believe dining asa family should be a relaxing experience, and an opportunity for you toenjoy quality time together.
'We know that dining out with kids can put pressure on parents and even cause them to chose not to go out. Whilst we already hav! e many t hings of offerfor families staying with us, we are always looking for new ways to make family dining enjoyable for all.'
TOP TIPS FOR TEACHING TOTS TABLE MANNERS
POSTURE AND APPEARANCE
When sitting at the table, press the small of the back into the base of the chair and keep elbows off the table
Encourage children to eat with their mouth closed and not to speak whilst eating. Try to come up with a simple gesture, such as closing your fingers in front of your lips, to remind them
AT MEAL TIMES
It is bad manners to wave or point utensils. Use the left hand to hold a fork or spoon and the right to hold a knife. Ask the restaurant if they supply child size knives and forks to make it easier
Ask your children what they would prefer to eat to save them making a fuss if given something they dont like. Make sure they eat everything on their plate so they learn to eat the right amount of food and not be wasteful
DINING DOS AND DON'TS
Shouting and squabbling amongst siblings is definitely not for the dining table.
Meal times are for quiet conversation so choose another time of the day when its okay for them to be noisy as a compromise
Remove all electronic games and mobile phones as these are very distracting and rude to others at the table.
Instil in youngsters the need to be respectful at all times to restaurant staff. Please and thank you are most important words!
For more information about the classesplease call 020 7589 6300 and for details about family stays at The Kensington Hotel, visit www.doylecollection.com/kensington
Places are limited so please contact the hotel to reserve a place. The classes will be hosted on a more regular basis during school half terms and holidays subject to demand. Please note: Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian at alltime.
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