| One of the rare occasions when we can relax and | | | | reunions, and even business meetings. If you're |
| let loose in this madly busy world is a casual | | | | still wondering about that parade of spoons and |
| dinner shared with family and friends. With great | | | | forks next to your plate, just remember that |
| food, lovely conversations, carefully chosen pieces | | | | each pair is good for each course, unless there will |
| of traditional or modern furniture and treasured | | | | be a new pair provided for each new course |
| company, evenings just couldn't get better. In | | | | served. |
| fact, sharing these precious moments with people | | | | A little courtesy will go a long way in formal |
| we value is a good way to de-stress and | | | | dinners where etiquette is highly expected. In |
| appreciate the fact that we can still let our guards | | | | other words, turn off your cellphone, pager, or |
| down even though we think we couldn't afford it | | | | anything that could interrupt the meal. That table |
| anymore. Yes, chomping our favorite menu, | | | | napkin should land on your right knee, not tucked |
| gulping down a can of beer and letting off a big | | | | under your chin. Those glasses to the top right of |
| belch in front of people who think we're cute | | | | your plate are yours and will be good for a |
| could be some of the best dinners of our lives. | | | | number of drinks from an aperitif to a cordial. |
| The question is, how about formal dinners? What's | | | | If you think you're ready for that first bite, wait |
| the whole point of complicating things at the | | | | before everybody else is. It is simply a basic |
| feeding trough? Why all those spoons and forks | | | | practice of politeness to wait for everyone |
| on both sides of the plate when we could all | | | | before partaking of a meal. Particularly, the host |
| survive with just one decent pair? Formal dinners | | | | or hostess gets things started and only then |
| may sound intimidating, but they're really so much | | | | should you oblige to your first spoonful. |
| fun. Just keep a few things in mind and you'll be | | | | And then mingle. Socializing is always the first and |
| fine. | | | | last purpose for events of this type. Meet people |
| There might be no menu and you may be stuck | | | | and interact with them. Begin or engage in polite |
| with very few options. Most probably, a | | | | conversations and simply enjoy each other's |
| multi-course menu has been laid out and what you | | | | company. After all, these dinners are more for |
| have to do is simply wait for it to happen. Usually, | | | | socializing rather than for sampling gourmet food |
| it happens during weddings, anniversaries, class | | | | or anything else secondary. |