“When everybody eats properly, the meal goes better and everybody has more fun!”

Allow me to transport you to a simpler time, 1951 to be exact. A young boy refuses to attend a dinner party in fear that his lack of knowledge concerning table manners may cause aversion among the other dinner guests. Fortunately for him, his future self who just happens to be skilled in this particular subject, appears and offers to aid and instruct him on good table etiquette.

This is the exact scenario in which we find our dear friend, Chuck. This 1951 instructional film aims to enlighten the etiquette challenged in the ways of good table manners.

Although this video may seem like it is outdated or irrelevant to our time period, good manners are timeless and never go out of style. In case you haven’t received a visit from a future version of yourself, here are a few pointers that will help you survive and thrive at any dinner party whether in 1951 or 2016.

1. “Always use silverware from the outside in.”

Three forks? No problem! Each fork is dedicated to a different course. Start with the outside utensil and work your way in.

2. “There are three kinds of food; finger food, fork food and spoon food.”

“Dry food, bread is one of them, are finger foods. But when you have something that is messy or sticky, you better use a fork.”

“Yeah. Like a cream puff?”

“That’s the idea!”

Just in case you needed a break down. This stuff can be complex. Thanks for that, Chuck.

3. “Don’t put onto your fork any more than one mouthful of food.”

4. “After you have placed food onto your fork, if you decide to talk, lay it down until you are ready to eat.”

Trust me. I have seen the unfortunate consequences of not following this rule. Pasta sauce EVERYWHERE.

5. To properly hold utensils while cutting food“put the ends of both the handles in the palms of your hand. Hold the meat with your fork and cut the meat, don’t tear it apart.”

6. To manage soup, “you never tip the bowl and you dip the spoon away from you. Not too much in the spoon and you eat from the side of the spoon”.

It’s soup-er simple!

7. “Courtesy, consideration for others and common sense. That’s what table manners are!”

In the wise words of Chuck, “the main thing is to practice at home so that table manners can come naturally and then I won’t have to think about them when I am out!” If all else fails just remember the four C's; courtesy, consideration for others, common sense and Christmas sweaters.You thought we would go through this video without mentioning the fact that Chuck is totally rocking that Christmas sweater? I mean just look at him! The sweater is obviously essential to the learning experience.