At what age...

[el borracho]

do little girls become graceful? My niece (12 years old) is visiting and she is grossing me out everytime she eats. Lip-smacking, crunching and grunting, labored breathing- it's like listening to a Rottweiler eat a whole chicken. Is this normal or should she be more aware of table etiquette by age 12?

[El Jefe]

It's the parents responsibility to teach their children manners. My 6 yo niece eats better than that.

[Fly O.T. McWall]

Originally Posted by arc

My sister-in-law is 43 and still eats that way. It is up to the parents to teach them.

qft

it's also a remote possibilty, but does she breath with her mouth open? if she can't get enough air, she may have a deviated septum. makes breathing difficutl through the nose sometimes, which obviously makes it difficult to breath while eating.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by el borracho

do little girls become graceful? My niece (12 years old) is visiting and she is grossing me out everytime she eats. Lip-smacking, crunching and grunting, labored breathing- it's like listening to a Rottweiler eat a whole chicken. Is this normal or should she be more aware of table etiquette by age 12?

you're not talking graceful, you're talking polite and etiquette.


graceful takes awhile because alot of girls grow different then guys.


polite and etiquette is learned ....... it might never happen.

[Joie]

I think etiquette is learned primarily by example. However, it's alot easier when the little girl wants to be a "lady". When I was little I wanted to be a lady, so I actually read Emily Post's book. Now I hope I lead by example, but sometimes kids do need to be reminded that dinner isn't a race. The best advice I can give is to encourage her to take smaller bites so that she enjoys the meal more.

[el borracho]

Originally Posted by Fly O.T. McWall

qft

it's also a remote possibilty, but does she breath with her mouth open? if she can't get enough air, she may have a deviated septum. makes breathing difficutl through the nose sometimes, which obviously makes it difficult to breath while eating.

Never thought of that and, obviously, never noticed but I'll look into it.

[el borracho]

Originally Posted by Laz

you're not talking graceful, you're talking polite and etiquette.


graceful takes awhile because alot of girls grow different then guys.


polite and etiquette is learned ....... it might never happen.

Yes, sorry, I meant etiquette.

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by el borracho

Yes, sorry, I meant etiquette.

as soon as somebody teaches or shows her, i would imagine.

[el borracho]

Originally Posted by Laz

as soon as somebody teaches or shows her, i would imagine.

So, if by age 12 it hasn't happend, we can assume it won't happen at home I would still have imagined her peers would influence her. If most 12 year olds are aware of this wouldn't they make her aware and wouldn't she adapt her behavior to fit in?

Originally Posted by el borracho

So, if by age 12 it hasn't happend, we can assume it won't happen at home I would still have imagined her peers would influence her. If most 12 year olds are aware of this wouldn't they make her aware and wouldn't she adapt her behavior to fit in?

Doubtful. Generally, they'll ostracize and talk about her behind her back - unless she has a true, well-grounded friend.

[xbarretx]

Originally Posted by el borracho

So, if by age 12 it hasn't happend, we can assume it won't happen at home I would still have imagined her peers would influence her. If most 12 year olds are aware of this wouldn't they make her aware and wouldn't she adapt her behavior to fit in?

maybe they tought her to eat that way like in christmas story. that way she eats her Red Cabbage?

seriously though, maybe the parents dont see it as annoying or a bad habit?

[Mr. Laz]

Originally Posted by el borracho

So, if by age 12 it hasn't happend, we can assume it won't happen at home I would still have imagined her peers would influence her. If most 12 year olds are aware of this wouldn't they make her aware and wouldn't she adapt her behavior to fit in?

yes, she'll probably have to learn the hard way by getting made fun of



although i still eat waaaaaaaaay too fast ... our school lunch hour was too short and so i had to learn how to "inhale". Then the same thing happened at work when you're too busy.

[kepp]

Originally Posted by el borracho

So, if by age 12 it hasn't happend, we can assume it won't happen at home I would still have imagined her peers would influence her. If most 12 year olds are aware of this wouldn't they make her aware and wouldn't she adapt her behavior to fit in?

So, basically, her fan base needs to be rebuilt.

[el borracho]

Originally Posted by Phobia

Doubtful. Generally, they'll ostracize and talk about her behind her back - unless she has a true, well-grounded friend.

Damn. I had not thought of that. Maybe it is a legit concern, after all. It's one thing if it just keeps the boys away but quite another if she ends up getting ridiculed by her schoolmates.

[el borracho]

Originally Posted by kepp

So, basically, her fan base needs to be rebuilt.

All our base belong to rebuilt... Get over it.

[Joie]

Originally Posted by el borracho

So, if by age 12 it hasn't happend, we can assume it won't happen at home I would still have imagined her peers would influence her. If most 12 year olds are aware of this wouldn't they make her aware and wouldn't she adapt her behavior to fit in?

I don't know any 12 year olds that would politely walk up to a peer and say, "I think you need to work on your etiquette". She may not be aware of her own behavior and it's the responsibility of the adults in her life to encourage her to eat in a ladylike manner.