In decades past, table manners were taught at home, drilled into you every night until you just couldn't stand to hear about it anymore. “No elbows on the table!” “Use your napkin!” The tone of the instructor indicated their horror. Breaking table etiquette was almost a crime.

Today, while attending a party, you may notice table etiquette has fallen by the wayside. So here's a crash course rundown on the basics, in case you fell between the cracks and haven't yet learned the important social meanings and consequences of proper table etiquette.

Let's say you've been invited to your girlfriend's home for a “getting-to-know-you” dinner with her parents. No need to freak. Whether it's a simple family meal or elegant dinner, the basic rules are the same. Here's how to make a good impression.

When you're invited to be seated, don't just plop down in your chair. Offer to pull Mom's chair out, gracefully sliding the chair to a comfortable seating position. Repeat with girlfriend. You'll definitely make points here.

Once seated, check out the table setting. You may see a napkin rolled artfully up in a napkin ring. Simply pick it up, slide the napkin out, setting the ring to the left of your table setting. Unfold the napkin and spread it across your lap. You'll look silly just clutching the napkin possessively in your hand.

Take a peek at where knives and forks are placed. Utensils flank each side. If there's just a knife, fork and spoon, no problem. You know what to do with them.

If you find multiple forks and spoons, here's the secret of using utensils according to proper table etiquette. Utensils farthest from the plate are used first. So if you've got a large spoon, whatever arrives first at the table and requires a spoon to eat it, wins! A bowl of soup takes a soup spoon. The salad? Use the smaller salad fork at the outside of the table setting. These utensils are removed after each course, so you just keep moving towards the middle. Proper table etiquette is almost yours.

You may see a small plate to the left of your setting, with a tiny knife resting on the plate. The small plate is for bread and the little knife is for buttering the bread. When the butter dish is passed, your personal bread knife is used to place the butter on your plate, never applied directly to the bread first!

If someone says grace, absolutely don't make any silly comments like "rub-a-dub-dub, thanks for the grub!" The person saying grace may stand or simply put their hands on the table. Bow your head in respect and chirp in with your "Amen" at the end.

As dinner is served, don't neglect to thank the person serving or offering the food. The rest is easy. No elbows, use your napkin and sit up straight! You'll be a hit with the parents.