20 Arizona Dinner Table Rules From The 1960s That Would Baffle Today’s Kids
Step back in time to the Arizona dining rooms of the 1960s, where every meal came with its own set of unspoken rules.
From how to pass the salt to which seat was off-limits, families navigated mealtime with a mix of ceremony and humor.
Modern kids might find these traditions baffling, but they reveal a world where dinner was more than food; it was a carefully choreographed family performance full of charm and surprises.
1. Wash Up Before Supper
Grimy fingers and dusty palms had no place at the dinner table in 1960s Arizona homes.
Kids who’d spent the afternoon playing outside in the desert heat were sent straight to the bathroom sink before they could even think about sitting down.
Soap and water weren’t optional, they were mandatory. Parents inspected hands like drill sergeants, and if you showed up with dirt under your nails, you’d be marching right back to scrub again.
Cleanliness wasn’t just next to godliness, it was your ticket to supper.
2. No Hats at the Table
Baseball caps, cowboy hats, and even those goofy beanies had to come off the moment you entered the dining room.
Wearing headgear indoors was considered disrespectful, and keeping it on at the table was practically a crime against manners.
Arizona kids loved their hats, especially those western-style ones that made them feel like real cowboys.
But the second Dad cleared his throat and pointed at your head, you knew the hat had to go. Respect trumped style every single time.
3. Say Grace Before Eating
Forks stayed frozen mid-air until someone said grace, a non-negotiable ritual in most Arizona households. Whether it was a quick blessing or a lengthy prayer, nobody dared take a bite until the amen was spoken.
Kids squirmed in their seats, eyeing the mashed potatoes while trying to keep their stomachs from growling too loudly.
Impatient as they were, they learned early that gratitude came before grub. Skipping grace wasn’t just bad manners, it was practically sacrilege in the desert suburbs.
4. Wait to Eat Until Dad Sits
Dad was the king of the castle, and his throne was the head of the dinner table. Until he parked himself in that chair, everyone else had to sit there like statues, no matter how hungry they were.
This rule taught kids about hierarchy and respect, though it mostly just taught them patience. If Dad was running late from work, dinner got delayed, and complaining about it would only make things worse. The man of the house set the pace, period.
5. Please Pass, Don’t Reach
Stretching your arm across the table like a hungry octopus was a major no-no in the 1960s. If you wanted the salt, butter, or bread basket, you had to use your words, specifically the magic word please.
Reaching over someone’s plate was considered rude and clumsy, even if the item you wanted was just inches away.
Parents drilled this rule into kids’ heads until it became second nature. Politeness took priority over convenience, and shortcuts weren’t tolerated at mealtime.
6. Elbows Off the Table
Propping your elbows on the table was like waving a red flag in front of a bull, it guaranteed an immediate scolding.
Parents viewed this posture as lazy and disrespectful, a sign that you weren’t taking the meal seriously. Kids constantly forgot this rule, especially when they got tired or bored during long dinners.
But one sharp look from Mom or Dad, and those elbows would snap back down to their sides. Proper posture wasn’t just encouraged, it was enforced with military precision.
7. Children Speak When Spoken To
Kids were expected to keep their mouths shut unless an adult directly addressed them. Random interruptions, unsolicited opinions, and chatty tangents were strictly forbidden at the dinner table.
This rule felt suffocating to energetic Arizona youngsters who had stories to share and questions to ask.
But back then, children were meant to be seen, not heard, especially during mealtime. Speaking out of turn could earn you a stern warning or even an early exit from the table.
8. Finish What’s on Your Plate
Leaving food on your plate was practically a sin in 1960s households, where waste was unacceptable. Parents served the portions, and kids were expected to eat every last bite, no excuses.
Picky eaters had it rough under this rule, especially when faced with liver, Brussels sprouts, or other dreaded foods.
But complaining only made things worse, and you’d sit there until that plate was spotless. The Clean Plate Club wasn’t optional, it was mandatory membership for every Arizona kid.
9. No Dessert Unless Plates Are Clean
Dessert was the ultimate carrot dangling at the end of the dinner stick, but you had to earn it by finishing your meal. Leaving even a single green bean behind meant no pie, cake, or cookies for you.
This rule turned dinner into a strategic game where kids calculated which bites to save for last. Some would gulp down the gross stuff first to get it over with, while others tried hiding vegetables under their napkins. Either way, Mom always knew, and the dessert police never took bribes.
10. Milk With Dinner, Not Soda
Soda was a rare treat reserved for special occasions, not something you’d find at the average weeknight dinner. Instead, kids drank milk, which parents believed built strong bones and healthy bodies.
Arizona youngsters dreamed of Coca-Cola or root beer, but those fizzy fantasies rarely came true at dinnertime.
Milk was cheaper, healthier, and non-negotiable in most households. Asking for soda instead was like asking to be sent to your room without supper, so kids learned to love their calcium.
11. No TV During Supper
Television sets stayed dark during dinner, no matter what show was on. Families gathered around the table to talk and connect, not to zone out in front of the tube.
Kids protested when their favorite programs aired during supper time, but parents held firm. Mealtime was for family bonding, conversation, and eye contact, not for watching cowboys and cartoons.
The TV could wait, but family time couldn’t. This rule made dinners feel longer but definitely more personal.
12. No Phone Calls, Let It Ring
When the phone rang during dinner, it just kept ringing until the meal was over. Answering it was out of the question, even if you were expecting an important call from your best friend.
This rule drove kids absolutely bonkers, especially teenagers who lived for phone conversations. But parents believed dinner was sacred family time that shouldn’t be interrupted by outsiders.
Voicemail didn’t exist yet, so whoever called would just have to try again later or leave a message with the operator.
13. Ask to Be Excused
Jumping up from the table the second you swallowed your last bite was considered incredibly rude. Kids had to formally ask permission to leave, usually with the phrase, May I please be excused?
Parents would inspect your plate, check your posture, and sometimes ask you to wait a bit longer before granting permission.
This rule taught patience and respect, though it mostly just taught kids to hold their bladders. Leaving without asking could result in being called back to sit for another ten minutes as punishment.
14. No Chewing Gum at the Table
Gum and dinner were mortal enemies in 1960s Arizona households. If you showed up at the table chomping away, you’d be sent straight to the trash can to spit it out before returning.
Parents found gum-chewing during meals disgusting and disrespectful, like you couldn’t be bothered to give dinner your full attention. Kids tried to hide their gum in their cheeks or under their tongues, but the telltale jaw movements always gave them away. Bubblegum stayed in your pocket until after the dishes were done.
15. No Seconds Until Everyone’s Served
Hungry kids eyeing the casserole dish had to exercise serious self-control under this rule. Going back for seconds before everyone had their first helping was considered greedy and impolite.
Fast eaters suffered the most, finishing their plates while slower siblings still picked at their vegetables.
But fairness mattered more than individual appetite, so you sat there with your empty plate, stomach growling, waiting for the all-clear. Patience was the price you paid for that extra serving of meatloaf.
16. Pass Dishes to the Right
Passing food had a specific direction in proper households, always to the right. This created an orderly flow around the table and prevented chaotic dish-passing collisions.
Kids found this rule confusing at first, especially when the person who needed the potatoes was sitting to their left. But tradition demanded clockwise movement, so dishes took the long route around.
Breaking this rule caused traffic jams and spills, which made cleanup even more tedious than usual for everyone involved.
17. Try a Bite of Everything
Picky eaters couldn’t just skip foods they didn’t like, they had to at least try one bite of everything served. Parents called it the one-bite rule, and it was strictly enforced at Arizona dinner tables.
Kids developed elaborate strategies to minimize the trauma, like taking the tiniest possible bite or washing it down immediately with milk.
But refusing to try something wasn’t an option, even if it looked absolutely disgusting. This rule supposedly expanded palates, though mostly it just expanded kids’ dislike lists.
18. Address Adults as Sir and Ma’am
Casual responses like yeah, nope, or what weren’t acceptable when speaking to parents or other adults at the table. Kids were trained to say yes sir, no ma’am, and other respectful phrases.
This formality felt stiff and old-fashioned even back then, but it demonstrated respect and proper upbringing.
Arizona parents took pride in raising polite children who knew how to address their elders correctly.
Slipping up and saying yeah instead of yes sir could earn you a disapproving glare across the mashed potatoes.
19. Thank the Cook Out Loud
Back in the day, Arizona kids knew better than to leave the table without expressing gratitude. Saying a proper thank you to whoever prepared the meal was absolutely mandatory, not optional.
Mom spent hours in the hot desert kitchen cooking, and acknowledging her hard work was considered basic respect.
Today’s children might send a quick text or mumble something while scrolling their phones. The 1960s version required eye contact, a clear voice, and genuine appreciation.
Families believed this simple act taught humility and recognition of others’ efforts.
20. Clear Your Place and Help With Dishes
Jumping up from the table and running off to play was never an option for Arizona kids in the 1960s.
Everyone had a job after supper, whether scraping plates, washing, drying, or putting away clean dishes. Even the youngest family members carried their own plate and cup to the kitchen counter.
This teamwork approach meant cleanup happened faster, and nobody felt overburdened. Parents used this time to teach responsibility and the importance of contributing to family life.
The concept of leaving everything for one person to handle would have seemed incredibly rude and lazy.