You also see plenty of americans put their elbows on the table.

The original reasons for not putting your elbows on the table (limited space, as well as some others) just don't apply anymore. There's no reason _not_ to put your elbows on the table other than "that's how it's always been done". As such, at least in my opinion, the rule no longer applies.

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twelvedogs 2 days ago | parent | next [-]

Until you do it on a temporary table and knock over everyone's drinks

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testaccount28 2 days ago | parent | prev [-]

sailors eat with their elbows on the table, to keep their fare from sliding as the boat rocks. don't look poor!

	▲	thaumasiotes 2 days ago \| parent [-]
		That could only work as a reason to avoid the behavior if people were familiar with sailors.