Elbows have always been allowed on the table. The rule for fancy dining was that you couldn’t have elbows on the table during a course, i.e., when people are actively eating, but before/after, it’s fine. That’s a reasonable rule to be considerate of space.
If you have a large number of people eating in comparison to the size of the table, and the table is already covered in food, the only place on the table to put your elbows is in other people’s personal space.
The rule should be “no elbows right next to someone else’s food” but neurotypicals are terrible at communicating due to their underdeveloped social skills and empathy.
People other than you, who are not “neurotypicals” whatever tf that even means, are able to accomplish seating large amounts of people at a table and use basic table manners just fine. It’s just common courtesy.
Elbows have always been allowed on the table. The rule for fancy dining was that you couldn’t have elbows on the table during a course, i.e., when people are actively eating, but before/after, it’s fine. That’s a reasonable rule to be considerate of space.
Never been an issue for me. The issue would be invading someone’s personal space. Maybe we just have bigger tables where I live.
If elbows aren’t allowed on a table during a course of a fancy dinner, they have definitely not always been allowed on the table.
Exactly. Food on the table? Elbows off. It’s simple.
Why?
If you have a large number of people eating in comparison to the size of the table, and the table is already covered in food, the only place on the table to put your elbows is in other people’s personal space.
The rule should be “no elbows right next to someone else’s food” but neurotypicals are terrible at communicating due to their underdeveloped social skills and empathy.
People other than you, who are not “neurotypicals” whatever tf that even means, are able to accomplish seating large amounts of people at a table and use basic table manners just fine. It’s just common courtesy.
Respect. Culture. Table manners.
Take your pick.
Edit. Personal eating space is probably the most realistic answer.
Well it’s never been an issue in any space I’ve eaten in, so I think you’re wrong.
Good to know you’ve never sat at a table with a lot of people, I guess? Or next to an opposite handed person.