I was taught the American way, no elbows on the table, definitely no burping at the table. In junior high home ec classes, this went even further, teaching us about what order to use silverware in (if there’s more than one fork or spoon in the table setting, etc.) and how to properly set a table in the first place. So, I know all the rules. However… some of these rules are just stupid. When I’m among friends and family, I almost always have at least one elbow propped on the table, and I frequently cut more than one bite at a time. If I’m with my kids, I might even burp at the table. GASP! That said, I did teach them not to do that kind of thing in ‘polite company’. ;)