TEA & ETIQUETTE
by
Dorothea Johnson
People often form an opinion of others on the basis of
first impressions. Because an opinion, once set, can be
difficult to alter, it is important to follow etiquette rules that provide
others a sterling view of you.
Basic business and social etiquette conventions:
* Do rise, regardless of gender, to greet and shake
hands with your guests.
* Do try a little of each course served at
tea.
* Do avoid talking with your mouth full. Take
small bites, and you will find it easier
to answer questions or join
in table talk.
* Do wait until you have swallowed the food in your
mouth before you take a sip of
tea.
* Do place your napkin on your chair when you
breiefly leave the table.
* Do place your knife and fork in the 10:20 "I am
finished" position when you have
finished
eating. Visualize a clock face on your plate. Place the tips of
the
utensils at the
number ten and the handles at the four.
* Do convey food to you mouth with an inward, not
an outward, curve of the fork.
* Do look into, not over, the cup of tea when
drinking.
* Do spread the scone with jam first, and then add
cream.
Just as important as the above list is a list of don'ts:
* Don't overload the fork when eating foods served
at tea.
* Don't smack you lips.
* Don't touch your face or head when dining.
* Don't tip up the cup too much when drinking tea,
but keep it at a slight angle.
* Don't extend a pinkie when holding a cup.
* Don't reach across the table or across another
person to get something. If it is
out of reach, ask the
closest person to pass it to you.
* Don't place your napkin on the table when you are
ready to leave.
* Don't involve your guests in paying the
bill.
(From Tea Time magazine)
Dear Tea Time: I'm not much for tea. Would it be appropriate to bring my own Diet Coke? I attended a tea over the holidays at my sister's home; there was my sister, her three daughters and I. We each made our desired flavour from an assortment of teas on her counter, and we chatted as we sipped from mother's china cups. The facade only slipped a few times, as we tried to act like proper ladies. I'm going to send the article along to my sister! Hugz, Judy LOL! Judy
Ant Judy3:03 PM