Does anyone know where the custom of Knocking on the dinner table when leaving the table comes from? (kings, German)

[facts101]

Does anyone know where the custom of knocking on the breakfast/lunch/dinner table when getting up and leaving comes from? Does this come from a country in Europe? What is the history of this?

I thought it might come from the days of kings and knights in those u shaped tables but I could be wrong.

[Thyra]

I'm thinking it falls under the superstition of "Knock-on-Wood"
Suprisingly something many cultures do :Knocking on wood - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Dd714]

???? I've never heard of that. Sounds like a habit that would be considered bad manners to me.

[facts101]

No, It's like knocking on the table to say goodbye to everyone at the table when you leave the table without verbally saying goodbye. No one has heard of this?

[Thyra]

No..never heard of it, sorry
Is this something your family or friends do? If so you could ask them.

[banger]

Frankly, I never heard of it.

What is the ethnic background of those people you know that do it?

That could possibly answer some of the question.

Just an off the cuff thought, Celtic and Germanic cultures have long held the idea of spirits living in trees.

[facts101]

Originally Posted by banger

Frankly, I never heard of it.

What is the ethnic background of those people you know that do it?

That could possibly answer some of the question.

Just an off the cuff thought, Celtic and Germanic cultures have long held the idea of spirits living in trees.

I have seen this done by older people Germany.

[Grandstander]

As you rise from the dining table? Probably done to mask another noise you might be making at that time.

[facts101]

No, before you get up. Just a knock on the table. Then leave.

I have seen this done in Germany. I thought it went back to the days of sitting at the table with knights and kings.

[Creekcat]

Must be a German thing.