Hands Off The Table In England
We discussed hands on the table. In England you don't put elbows on the table, nor your hands. You might be tempted to extend your arm. Why not. Firstly you obstruct the view of the VIP at the head of the table, their speech, or the person toasting them. You exclude the person on your right if your right arm is on the table and you are half turned with your back to the person on your right. You don't include them with your eyes, or see if they open their mouth, trying to speak and join in.
You might also get your sleeve in your soup, the butter, or anything else on the table. You might talke with your hands and knock over a glass.
Hands On The Table In France
The French, on the other hand, prefer hands on the table. To be sure a gentleman is not feeling the thigh of the lady beside him. Upsetting her. Or exciting her and making his wife jealous. Or slipping silver spoons into his pocket. Or concealing a knife to stab the host, or an enemy - just as shaking hands was to show no weapon in your hands.
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