We need them at school, we need them at work and we certainly need them at fancy morning teas with very elegant senior ladies.

I was quite chuffed to receive the most delightful invitation to attend a morning tea to celebrate and thank some sensational volunteers who work in our community.

They come from varied backgrounds, are of various ages but all love where they live and the people who live alongside them.

The spread on the table, covered in a lace tablecloth, was beyond your imagination - cream puffs, chocolate brownies and delicious sandwiches, three layers thick.

The tea and coffee were served in tea pots and our cups and saucers all matched the little side plates.

It was like stepping back in time when morning and afternoon teas were quite the social engagement.

To make this morning even more fabulous, one of my dearest friends was also invited, so naturally we plonked ourselves down in front of all this yummy food trying to contain ourselves.

We sat up straight, we only put one item on our plate at a time and we didn't snort when we laughed.

Things were going swimmingly until my dearest friend did let her guard down for just one moment.

Breaking the number one rule - speaking with your mouth full.

With the conversation flowing so freely, unfortunately her mouth was also flowing freely.

Having just taken a rather oversized bite of a creamy bright pink cake, she continued on with our chat.

I actually saw the piece of coconut come out of her mouth as if in slow motion. Straight from her mouth and into my eye.

As I began blinking she started laughing at me, realising she had practically just spat this tiny object right at my face.

It was a fabulous moment considering the company we were in. I'm sure our muffled giggles didn't go unnoticed, however we were surround by most gracious women who hardly looked our way.

Dinner time with my children is simply me repeating one rule over and over again.

And with four children, the eldest now 22, I have been saying this for quite a long time - wait for your mouth to be empty.

Sometimes in sheer frustration I find myself growling at them with food in my own mouth.

I constantly tell my boys they will never marry well if they can't learn to at least have good table manners.

And who can't remember the same line dished out by our own parents at the dinner table?