Why we need to include table manners in our curriculum

A few weeks ago, Hon Rebecca Kadaga, Ugandan Speaker of Parliament made news by calling on MPs and protocol members to be on best behaviour during the Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference hosted by Uganda. She stressed on table manners and cited a recent incident where a legislator choked on meat during a presidential visit.

Many might think the Speaker was out of turn for calling out adults on what should be standard operating procedure - acceptable table manners. The thing is even in this neck of the woods, we would not be rated highly when it comes to table manners. Our dining etiquette sucks and sadly it comes to the fore during social events making this a society-wide issue.